Peter Pan Goes Wrong - Review

Sets are breaking, technical hitches are occurring, and cast arguments are happening. That can only mean one thing. Mischief magic is back with their West End smash hit Peter Pan Goes Wrong.

Mischief Theatre Company, also the brilliant minds behind The Play That Goes Wrong, takes J.M. Barrie’s beloved children’s story and turns it into a side-splitting comedy. The improv theatre group were founded in 2008 by a group of students at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and their other West End plays include The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, Groan Ups, and Magic Goes Wrong. I have been fortunate to see both The Play That Goes Wrong, and Magic Goes Wrong, and I was in fits of laughter throughout both productions.

As always, the concept is simple yet effective: the much-loved members of The Cornley Drama Society put on a play, and once again battle against technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes on their way to Neverland with hilarious and disastrous results. As is customary the chaos starts before the show even begins and this time there was a potential electrocution on the cards as actors on stage tried haphazardly to switch some lights on

This production is a triumph. Perhaps nearly 500 things or more go wrong in “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” some of them nearly fulfilling Peter’s prediction in the Barrie play: “To die will be an awfully big adventure.” From floorboards flying up and smacking actors in the face to a wobbly casement window and wiring that's already sparking before the lights go down, you know you're in for a real treat with this production. I couldn't possibly name everything that occurs in this production, nor do I wish to spoil all the fun, but I must say that the cast and creators behind the show are brilliant. They manage to add layer upon layer to the comedy.

The cast showcases their talent and skill in this production. To be in a show where so many things go wrong purposefully but make it look effortless and funny requires a particular set of skills. These intentional mishaps are trademarks of Mischief Theatre who know exactly what they are doing, playing on the audience's pleasure in the backstage and on-stage catastrophes. I must mention Jean-Luke Worrell, who I first saw in Cluedo. He played the Narrator and Cecco and he has incredible comedic timing it was a pleasure to see him on stage again.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong continues at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 4th November 2023 tickets are available at the following link https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/peter-pan-goes-wrong/