The Play That Goes Wrong

Originally published in Northumberland News

What a disaster. The doors fall off their hinges, actors collapse mid-scene, and a corpse keeps moving. Just when you think it couldn’t go more wrong, it all goes spectacularly right for the Northumberland Players.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” has kicked off the Players’ first instalment of dinner theatre at the Best Western in Cobourg. Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, produced by Kaye Torrie and directed by David Hoare, this is a chaotic comedy that brings both joy and delight.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” follows an amateur drama troupe attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery — but everything goes hilariously wrong. This play within a play originated in the U.K., debuting in a room above a London pub. It has since become an international hit, now performed around the world.

“While the chaos you will see on stage is intentional, the precision behind it comes from an extraordinary team. The entire production crew — especially our construction and props leads, who embraced every wild idea I threw at them and always found a way to make it happen — spent countless hours in our shops making beautiful things that fall apart perfectly,” said Hoare.

“Fall apart perfectly” is a fitting description of the show. The physical comedy and impeccable timing this group of actors brings to the stage make for truly masterful performances.

Hudson Scott (Dennis), Ian Everdell (Chris), Amanda McConkey (Annie), Abigail Schmitz (Sandra), Caillen Lush (Billie), Mathew Brown (Max), Shawn Dubeau (Jonathan) and Evan Soutter (Robert) each bring a unique style of comedy to life and shine on stage. This is a cast that works exceptionally well together.

But it doesn’t stop there. They also had to navigate the set — as quirky, wonderful and full of surprises as each character. With so much happening on stage, I feel like I need to go back to catch everything I missed. Plus, I just really want to see this play again.

Disaster never looked so good. This show is extremely entertaining — you won’t stop laughing.

Kristin Andrews, Northumberland News