November 13, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

The Hilarious “The Play That Goes Wrong” Entertains at the Ahmanson Theatre

The Mischief Theatre production of The Play That Goes Wrong, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, could be subtitled Laurel & Hardy meet the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges with a sprinkling of the comic antics of Max Sennett and Charlie Chaplin, who before “talkies,” entertained film-going audiences with his hilarious slapstick routines.

Incorporating various elements of physical and visual comedy, the madcap antics begin as the audience is taking its seats. Stagehands are checking props and set pieces in anticipation of the opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor, presented by The Cornley University Drama Society. The plot centers on a murder that has taken place on the eve of the engagement of Florence Colleymoore (Jamie Ann Romero) to Charles Haversham (Yaegel T. Welch.) The lighting and sound operator, wonderfully played by Brandon J. Ellis is trying to close a door which, despite many attempts, simply won’t stay closed. A great example of building on a comedic action, it stays closed for a second or two and then reopens. Another visual gag centers around a piece of wood one of the actors is trying to attach as a mantle but it keeps falling off. The same actor is attempting to find a way to keep the door closed while at the same time holding up the mantle piece. He accomplishes this through the use of various limbs. The stage manager, Annie (Angela Grovey,) comes to the rescue of the malfunctioning props wielding a giant role of masking tape, which she uses to secure the mantle. More slapstick antics ensue and remember all this is taking place before the actual play begins. Later on, when the grieving fiancée has a fainting spell, Annie steps in and reads her lines from the script. Subsequently, because she’s enjoying “acting,” she gets into a physical confrontation with the actress playing Colleymore, who is dragged off stage through a pane-less window by the other actors.

L-R: Yaegel T. Welch, Peyton Crim, Angela Grovey, Brandon J. Ellis, and Jamie Ann Romero in “The Play That Goes Wrong” at the Ahmanson Theatre.

With set pieces seemingly under control, and before the action actually begins, a speech is given to the audience by the director – not the brilliant original Broadway director Mark Bell or the National Tour Director Matt DiCarlo, but the play within the play director, characterized by talented Evan Alexander Smith, who also plays Inspector Carter. Confused? That’s ok. It is confusing, but laughter abounds every step of the way. He addresses the audience thanking them for their patience and apologizes for the mix-up to those people thinking they bought tickets to a performance of Hamilton. He gives some background on the 1920 mystery thriller and the action finally begins with the dead body of murdered Charles stretched out on the sofa. However, it’s hard for him to stay dead and every once in a while he moves a different part of his body. Inspector Carter arrives and tries to hang up his coat but there’s no hook and his coat falls to the floor, which he ignores. This is just one of the myriad sight gags that will keep you laughing. Another comedic element is the split “bad timing” on some of the dialogue where the reaction comes before the actual line. For example, but not necessarily in the play, someone says, “God bless you” before the sneeze. An actual example is when bad-tasting whiskey is poured and the actors spit it out with the line “That’s the best whiskey I’ve ever had.” These miss-timed or contradictory lines permeate the entire play resulting in the audience trying to catch its collective breath as these moments appear at an accelerated rate. At one point, the inspector is late on his entrance so the rest of the cast freezes in place until he finally appears and delivers his line. The audience even got into the act. One of the characters is looking for something and someone yells, “Look under the chair!”

L-R: Peyton Crim, Scott Cote, Evan Alexander Smith, and Ned Noyes in the Broadway award-winning hit, in “The Play That Goes Wrong” at the Ahmanson Theatre.

In the genre of farce or slapstick, the brilliantly designed “non-functional” set by Nigel Hook is absolutely spot on as just when you thought nothing else could malfunction, something does. Another comical moment is when the inspector, along with Cecil Haversham, (Ned Noyes) brother of the deceased Charles, attempt to remove the body from the parlor sofa. As the not really dead body is laid on top of a stretcher, it collapses leaving a gaping hole where the canvas should be, but, ignoring that mishap, they carry out an empty stretcher. The actor playing Charles (Yaegel T. Welch) knows he shouldn’t still be on stage and slowly, ever so slowly, crawls off and despite being “dead,” turns up unexpectedly from time to time throughout the play where he is reminded by another cast member that he’s supposed to be dead. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Perkins the butler, who constantly screws up his lines and misses cues. This delightful character is wonderfully played by Scott Cote. With his almost operatic, beautiful booming bass voice, the most imposing Peyton Crim plays Florence’s brother Thomas Colleymoore. He is a master of visual comedy and perched high above the stage, he uses just about every part of his body from head to toe to keep the set pieces from falling to the floor below. Despite one technical snafu after another, all of which are ignored by the actors, Inspector Carter finally solves the crime. This is not a spoiler, but think Charles’ brother Cecil and the heart broken fiancée Florence. I hope that’s not TMI.

L-R: Angela Grovey and Scott Cote in a scene from “The Play That Goes Wrong” – a farcical/slapstick look at the technical challenges facing actors.

Contributing to the awesome technical elements of this production are Ric Mountjoy’s excellent lighting design, Roberto Surace’s costumes, Andrew Johnson’s sound design and Rob Falconer’s pre-set original “goofy” or “silly” music, which set the tone on what silliness lay ahead.

“The Play That Went Wrong”
Ahmanson Theatre
135 N. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Run: Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 pm
Saturday: 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Tickets: $30 – $135
(ticket prices are subject to change)
Closing: Sunday, August 11, 2019 – 1:00 pm
Reservations: (213) 972-4400 or
www.CenterTheatreGroup.org
Groups: (213) 972-7231.
Deaf community: CenterTheatreGroup.org/ACCESS.

<>Related Posts

Tesla Involved in Metro Train Collision in Santa Monica

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

This Collision Follows a Similar Trend of Car-Train Incidents in the Region A Tesla collided with a Metro E Line...

Santa Monica’s Safe Streets Project Wins APWA Transportation Award

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Safe Streets Project Recognized for Enhancing Safety and Accessibility on 17th Street and Michigan Avenue The Southern California Chapter of...

Brooke Shields’ Former Palisades Estate Listed for $8.65M: Report

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Built in 1982, the Three-Story, Chalet-Style Home Spans 5,345 Square Feet and Sits on a 0.43-Acre Lot The former Pacific...

Metro’s New Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Aims to Speed Up Commutes for LA Riders

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Pilot Program Begins With 60-Day Warning Period to Clear Bus Lanes The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in...

Historic Venice Post Office Building to Become a New Hub for Creatives

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

“The Lighthouse” will offer workspace, production facilities, career development, and artist studios in Venice’s iconic Windward Circle By Zach Armstrong...

Four SMC Students Named Stanford Innovation Fellows

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

As UIF Participants, the Students Undergo a Six-Week Training Program to Assess Campus Needs and Design Projects Four Santa Monica...

School of Rock West LA Wins Best Children’s Program/Service

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

By Susan Payne School of Rock West Los Angeles has enriched the lives of students through performance-based music education for...

Driver Commits Suicide at Scene of Santa Monica Traffic Collision

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

The Santa Monica Police Department Is Investigating the Circumstances A traffic collision between a pickup truck and a motorcycle on...

LASD Searches For Missing Man Last Seen in Marina del Rey

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

According to Family Members, There Are Concerns He May Be Planning to Leave the Country The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s...

Q&A: New Roads School Voted Santa Monica’s Best Private School

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

For the last 29 years, New Roads School, founded by visionary educators Paul Cummins and David Bryan, has delivered progressive...

Racist Text Messages Target Students in Santa Monica, West LA, Raising Alarm Among Schools, Families

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Outrage Spreads as Disturbing, Racially Charged Messages Reach Students and Others By Dolores Quintana Schools on the Westside of Los...

Urth Caffé Heirloom Organic Coffee Wins Best of Santa Monica

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

By Susan Payne A health-conscious coffee shop in Santa Monica is stealing hearts. More than its Matcha teas, Spanish lattes...

Governor Newsom Convenes Special Session to Protect California Rights Against Future Federal Policies

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

Special Session Called To Defend Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Climate Initiatives Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special session of...

Chinese Chemical Company and Executives Indicted for Allegedly Fueling Fentanyl Crisis in Los Angeles

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

U.S. DOJ Charges Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech and Executives With 13 Counts  A federal grand jury has indicted Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech...

Renewable Energy Group to Host Scenic Hike in Palisades

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

The Route Is Based on a Walk Described as “The Most Scenic of All the City’s Stairwalks.” WRISE Los Angeles,...