How can everything going so wrong can be so right?
As self explanatory as titles come, this is a Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s “Christmas vignette” (not a pantomime!) of J. M. Barrie’s classic story of Peter Pan. Where everything that possibly can go wrong will; and it is hilarious.
From the moment you enter the theatre you’re greeted with chaos. Everything that would usually be criticised is met with rambunctious laughter – stage hands bickering, misspoken lines, and a set which disintegrates around the actors.
Despite the repeated jokes, the comedy never gets stale and there’s continuous laughter throughout.
There’s an element of slapstick comedy, the expected trips,slips, and falls, but it’s perfectly balanced so none feel particularly overdone. In a production which involves flying, and a programme which declares the Flying Operator is “not yet known” certain mishaps are predictable, yet they aren’t tired.
With the amount of injuries the characters sustain, it seems Peter Pan has worse luck than the infamous Macbeth. Every disaster is timed to perfection, and the collective wince from the audience makes it clear these are no half hearted pretend slaps.The only give away that this is all intentional is the fact that no one seems dramatically injured at the end.
The cast’s reaction to their hopes and dreams shattering around them varies from watching in horror, to some spectacular eyerolls at their fellow actors ineptitude, particularly from Sandra Wilkinson (Katy Daghorn).
“Poor Max” you’ll find yourself commenting in the interval. Played by Tom Babbage, sympathy is in abundance for Max who is only involved because of his uncle’s donation, even more so than Patrick Warner who plays Francis the narrator but can’t catch a break with his chair.
Phoebe Ellabani does a fantastic job of Annie and getting full comedic value out of her abundance of costume chances, while George Haynes and Oliver Senton are brilliant in the egotistical roles of Director Chris Bean and Assistant Director, sorry “co-director” Robert Grove.
It’s a wild ride being surrounded by mayhem of all kinds. Between possibly the most disastrous production Cornley Polytechnic has ever put on (although at least no one dies in this one…) and the behind the scenes drama revealed by some unfortunately timed voice notes, the audience doesn’t know what could possibly happen next.
The revolving set would be fantastic in any production – aside from the parts falling off, but it’s central to this one. It takes on a life of its own, spinning like a caffeinated ballerina as the show reaches its magnificently chaotic climax.
You certainly can’t complain of being bored as you witness the cast descend into madness. What starts as witty comebacks to the audience hollering -“should have gone to Birmingham instead”- evolves into a potential mental breakdown as yet another thing goes wrong, cementing the appearance that they have spent the last few hours watching their acting career crumble around them.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is showing at The Belgrade until 29th February. (Definitely) buy your tickets here.
If this is any indication of how A Mischief Theatre Production usually goes, I’d already recommend Groan Ups, which is coming to The Belgrade in September 2020.
Katie Reviews 