Peter Pan Goes Wrong
4 March 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
exquisitely written and performed
Mischief Comedy, the multi award-winning company responsible for the global comedy phenomenon, The Play That Goes Wrong, has brought their Olivier award-nominated West End and Broadway smash hit comedy, Peter Pan Goes Wrong to Glasgow as part of their latest UK tour.
As the members of the Cornley Drama Society attempt to stage their production of J.M Barrie's Peter Pan, everything that can go wrong, does. Technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes disrupt the performance. And as the cast and crew grow more desperate and exaspstered, the evening descends into chaos.
I've seen three of Mischief's shows now and what they do is deceptively clever and undeniably funny. The amount of work it takes to set a stage in order for it to fail at the exact moment it is meant to fail should not be underestimated. The comedy and controlled chaos we witness during Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a testament to the skill of the writers, directors, cast and crew. This production is truly a team effort and it's wonderful to see the backstage crew be brought on in acknowledgement of this during the bows.
Some of the 'accidents' that befall the Cornley Drama Society are downright dangerous, and proof, if more were needed, that the chaos we witness is in fact choreographed with pinpoint accuracy. The amount of time and rehearsal that has gone into this show is commendable.
Even before the play begins, the 'Goes Wrong' effect is evident in the Theatre Royal auditorium. Lights flicker as the stage crew set up on stage and search the theatre for missing tools. It's a brilliant way to get the audience involved and intrigued before the show even starts. Be in your seats 15 minutes before curtain up and enjoy!
It's these added touches of genius that set Mischief apart from other producers: Every second is so well thought out, every action performed with such care and attention - and aimed to yield maximum enjoyment and laughter from the audience. Even the house programme for this show is a leap beyond what they usually are in terms of added content: This is one programme that is worth your money.
As the plays begins, we are introduced to all the primary players and characters. The mishaps begin almost immediately. The fantastic cast each play multiple characters and their comic timing is exquisite. There isn't a weak link in the company; they all play their roles to perfection. Not only are we treated to the full Peter Pan narrative, but there are side plots involving the madcap members of Cornley Drama Society themselves. It's so wonderfully written and performed that we come to care for the individual 'actors' and become invested in their individual and collective success.
The atmosphere in the theatre was electric as the audience shifted from restrained giggles to outright laughter. I actually feared for the health of a couple of people who seemed to be in pain from laughing. That's what you want! A show that has the audience animated, engaged and enthralled. There were a number of kids in the audience too who seemed to be having the time of their lives. Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a show that amuses and delights everyone equally. It's not often I can say that.
The comedy is highly physical and does descend into farce and slapstick frequently. There were a couple of occasions where the joke ran too long for me (for example the dropped sword routine), but that's personal preference - I know some people enjoy that uncomfortable, torturous humour.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is an excellent comedy play, exquisitely written and performed by a stellar company. It's a brilliant night out for the whole family. On at Glasgow Theatre Royal through Saturday 9th March - Don't miss it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Peter Pan Goes Wrong listings and Tickets
Peter Pan Goes Wrong plays at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow until Saturday 9th March.
🎟️Tickets: www.atgtickets.com (AD - ATG affiliate link)
Age guide: 8+
Running Time: 2 hours including a 20-minute interval
📸 Production photos: Pamela Raith
Peter Pan Goes Wrong Cast
The full cast line-up includes: Jake Burgum (Trevor), Jack Michael Stacey (Chris), Matthew Howell (Robert), Jean-Luke Worrell (Francis), Ciara Morris (Sandra), Theo Toksvig-Stewart (Max), Clark Devlin (Dennis), Jamie Birkett (Annie), Gareth Tempest (Jonathan) and Rosemarie Akwafo (Lucy). With understudies: Romeo Mika, Clare Noy, Consuela Rolle and Phil Yarrow.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is directed by Adam Meggido, with set designs by Simon Scullion, costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by Matt Haskins and sound by Ella Wahlström. Original compositions by Richard Baker and Rob Falconer. The Associate Director is Fred Gray. Casting Directors Jenkins McShane Casting. Peter Pan Goes Wrong is produced by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd in arrangement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd.
More from Mischief Comedy
Meanwhile across the pond, the original Mischief team have just completed a four-month run of Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City, where it received eight award nominations, winning the Drama Desk Award for ‘Best Unique Theatrical Experience’ and the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for ‘Favourite New Play’. The production now heads to Los Angeles for a strictly limited five weeks at the Ahmanson Theatre, from 8 August to 10 September.
Nominated for an Olivier Award for ‘Best New Comedy’ in 2016, Peter Pan Goes Wrong has enjoyed two West End runs, a season on Broadway, a tour of Australia and New Zealand and two UK tours. BBC One broadcast a one-hour version of the show on primetime television in December 2016, starring David Suchet as the guest narrator, watched by an audience of over six million worldwide.
Mischief’s other stage successes include The Play That Goes Wrong (West End, Broadway and on tour across the UK and internationally with productions staged on every continent - with the exception of Antarctica), Mind Mangler - Member of the Tragic Circle, Magic Goes Wrong, Groan Ups, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery and Mischief Movie Night. Their ‘Royal Television Society’ award-winning BBC One series The Goes Wrong Show aired in December 2019 with a Christmas special, with further episodes in early 2020, and a hit Nativity special last Christmas. The second series aired in September 2021 on BBC One and iPlayer.
🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my reviews or star ratings.
📸 Find Lisa in the Theatre on Instagram
REVIEW - Peter Pan Goes Wrong by Mischief Comedy (UK Tour, Glasgow)
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