REVIEW | Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Mischief Comedy.
PETER PAN GOES WRONG
ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM
★★★★★
★★★★★
This is not the first time I've witnessed a show from Mischief Comedy, and it will surely not be the last. I've seen such spectacular performances as The Comedy About A Bank Robbery and The Play That Goes Wrong (which I've seen three times alone!). I sat and enjoyed The Goes Wrong Show on the BBC from the comfort of my own home during January, and would highly recommend it! Peter Pan Goes Wrong is one show I have been desperate to watch since seeing the show performed on BBC at Christmas a few years ago. Would it be just as hilarious and unforgettable as the rest?
The premise for Mischief Comedy's shows centre around amateur theatre group, Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society. This time they're putting on a production of J M Barrie's classic story, Peter Pan. What could possibly go wrong?
The small cast of sixteen plays their own part in putting on this show, with some playing 4 different characters (a nod to Phoebe Ellabani who nailed this!) and still manage to deliver a high paced production that is full to the brim with boisterous energy. From the moment you enter the auditorium, you are thrown into the action of putting on a show. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society stagehands are already causing their own chaos with long electrical leads being stretched across the seats and also looking for a missing hammer. This is my favourite element of a Mischief Comedy show for sure, it definitely gets the energy levels of their audiences raised before the curtain goes up too.
This amateur dramatic production of Peter Pan has the same story premise (well just about). There is certainly the boy who never grow up, a sassy fairy called Tinkerbell and the evil Captain Hook. However, in this production, it's the crocodile (Tom Babbage) that captures the audience's hearts and becomes the star of the show.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong can only be described as the amateur dramatic production from hell - everything that "could" potentially go wrong, does and in a superb style. You have to see it for yourself with this one! The show takes you on a ride of emotions; from laughing out loud to jaw-dropping moments that you certainly didn't expect to happen. The action is continuous in this style of the show but Mischief Comedy is certainly the experts at making it look polished and well-rehearsed, even if you are watching it and wondering HOW DO THEY DO IT!? Peter Pan Goes Wrong is an experience in itself and one of the shows I would urge everyone to see. We are transported to the various locations of Neverland and the Darling's house by a revolving stage and thanks to Patrick Warner, he keeps us up to speed with the story as Narrator.
READ MORE: Peter Pan Goes Wrong on BBC One.
There's a fantastic integration of pantomime about the show in this one with lots of "It's behind you", much to the delight of George Haynes. The audience contributes to the mayhem and madness of the show by showing out responses and this definitely adds a fantastic layer to Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
I genuinely believe that Peter Goes Wrong is one of the funniest productions I've ever seen. It's terrific, slick and pure entertainment. The cast is superb and collectively deliver a ridiculous level of energy and enthusiasm for this style of theatre. The Mischief Comedy team are experts in putting on a fantastic show and there's absolutely no denying that they are the definition of comedy theatre right now.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is performing at Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until 22 Feb and then moves onto Belgrade Theatre, Coventry for the final UK Tour dates 25-29 Feb. Don't miss your chance!