New World Stages presented a hilarious production of The Play That Goes Wrong. The play-within-a-play contained visual jokes, physical humor, and immense irony. The farce broke the fourth wall many times. Before the production started, the stage crew characters made last-minute fixes.
Annie duct-taped a broken mantelpiece to the lefthand wall. Then, Trevor duct-taped a leatherbound book to the shelf. Unfortunately, they said that a dog had run off as well. They hoped to find him before the second act. Then, they exited the stage.
In the play, the fictitious Cornley University performed The Murder at Haversham Manor. The also-fictitious Susie H. K. Brideswell wrote the 1920s murder mystery script. Chris Bean welcomed the audience to the fake play.
The university’s previous plays included Two Sisters, The Lion and the Wardrobe, and Cat. During their production of James and the Peach, the peach rotted. The production became James, Where’s Your Peach? Travis gave a speech as well.
He warned the audience not to use cell phones in the theatre. Then, he quipped, “If anyone finds a Duran Duran CD, that’s a personal item and I want it back.” The addition defined Trevor’s character. The next scene started with immediate hilarity.
Charles Haversham lay on a couch. Thomas Colleymore knocked on the door and called his name. Downstairs, Charles’ engagement dinner ensued without him. Unfortunately, Thomas could not open the door. He ratted with the doorknob and expressed frustration. Ultimately, he used the set’s side curtain. His butler, Perkins, followed him inside.
Upon seeing Charles, Perkins took his pulse. He placed two fingers on Charles’ forehead and felt no heartbeat. Thomas declared that Charles passed away. The characters glanced at the audience with gaped mouths. Red lights flashed and a dramatic sound effect played. Charles called other characters onstage, one at a time.
Florence dramatically expressed her love for her fiancé, Charles. In a red dress, she seductively posed next to his body. Cecil portrayed his shock with theatrical gestures. The audience laughed and he purposefully broke character. He smiled brightly at the audience. Also, the dramatic effects continued.
When a character said “murdered” or “died,” the red lights flashed and the sound played. Trevor sat in a make-believe AV booth above the audience. He produced the effects. Soon, the characters froze, but the effects did not occur. Florence glanced at the booth in confusion. Trevor scrolled on his phone and laughed. The production’s storyline continued.
Thomas declared that Florence had fits. She dramatically fell onto the couch. He said that she needed her medication. He dropped a pill into her hand and she took it. Then, she sat up with her hand on her forehead. The production progressed to another bit.
Perkins still could not get the door open. Soon, it swung open. The stage crew characters looked at the audience with gaped mouths. The play continued with more jokes.
Perkins said his lines nervously. He glanced at his hands several times on which he wrote his lines. It created hilarious and momentary pauses. Soon after, Florence and Cecil revealed a plot point. The characters called Inspector Carter to solve the case.
The two mentioned an affair behind Charles’ back. Florence declared that they could finally be alone. The secretive coupe mimed several kisses. Each time, a character entered to retrieve a prop or make a comment.
Thomas came in for the inspector’s notebook but grabbed a vase of flowers. He searched for a pen but obtained keys instead. Soon, the characters stopped entering the stage.
She expressed gratitude that Charles could no longer interfere. She attempted to kiss Cecil for real. In response, he performed exaggerated movements. He bent over backward and leaned over the couch. He smiled at the audience. It prevented Florence from kissing him again. Soon, she kissed him. Quickly, he pulled away. Inspector Carter found out about their affair.
Inspector Clark called for his notepad and pen. Thomas brought him the keyring and vase of flowers. In response, Inspector Clark glared at Thomas. Next, he reluctantly took the objects.
While alone on the stage, he questioned Florence. She posed seductively on the couch. Unfortunately, the characters said each other’s lines. It stopped Inspector Clark from asking Florence about her relationships. Instead, Florence gave details about her love life.
She shrieked that she had an affair with Cecil. Then, the detective thought of a possible scenario.
Perhaps she murdered Charles to date Cecil. Florence suggestively lay on the couch and denied the allegations. Inspector Clark pretended to take notes. He tapped the keys against the vase. Then, he declared that he wrote enough annotations.
The production included a fifteen-minute intermission. During this time, patrons bought snacks and candy from an attendant. Chris Bean welcomed the audience to Act 2.
He thanked the viewers because they returned for the second half. He described Act 1’s issues as “one or two minor mishaps.” He declared that many things “did not go as rehearsed.” The audience chuckled at the thought. He mentioned the snack attendant’s items as well.
He advised anyone who “ate the salted nuts to seek immediate medical attention.” Trevor leaned over his pretend AV booth with a trash can. He puked into the trash can, which caused the audience to laugh. Then, Chris exited the stage. The curtain opened to reveal a funny sight.
The stage crew characters and actors cleaned the stage. Annie vacuumed and Thomas placed orange cones down. Perkins held up a can of paint thinner. A lady in a black shirt grabbed a ladder while another woman brought out a replacement window. The curtain closed again and reopened.
The stage crew people disappeared. The characters posed on stage as though nothing went wrong. In Act 2, the play displayed growth in Annie’s character.
A door knocked Florence in the head. Afterward, Annie wore the iconic red dress over her stained overalls. She read Florence’s lines from a binder. At first, she unenthusiastically read the words. The audience applauded her effort, which caused Annie to smile. She performed with more confidence.
She had a fit during which she danced around the stage. Also, she posed cutely at random moments. Both served as a call back to initial Florence’s traits. Soon, Annie smacked her head and fell. Trevor briefly played the role of Florence.
He read the character’s lines with no emotion. Soon, he said the line which contained Cecil’s cue. Trevor dropped the binder and refused to kiss Cecil. At this moment, Cecil’s Cornely University actor explored his sexuality.
Cecil’s actor, Max, passionately kissed Trevor. In response, Trevor pulled away with alarm. It contrasted with Max’s earlier behavior with Florence’s feminine actor. Max smiled at the audience with glee. Thomas entered the stage and gasped at the sight. It served as a callback to his earlier observations.
A character banged into a wood beam, which caused the collapse of the upstairs study. The second floor fell on Trevor. On the floor, he bled and clutched his head. Fortunately, Florence’s initial actor stumbled back on stage.
She wore a pink tank top and polka-dot underwear. Thomas declared that she did not wear clothes and smiled confidently at the audience. Unfortunately, Annie still wore the dress and wanted to play the character.
The two women upstaged each other and said their lines in unison. Soon, they tackled and flung each other out the window. Annie duct-taped the other woman’s mouth shut. Then, she taped the woman’s arms together. Annie continued to read Florence’s lines. The production progressed to another plot point.
The characters grew suspicious of Inspector Carter. They searched his briefcase and found evidence. Thomas found the Duran Duran CD in the bag as well. In his AV booth, he slumped in his chair. He raised his arm and mumbled that he owed the prop.
The playbill included information about the fake Murder at Haversham Manor play. President of the Cornley University Drama Society Chris Bean wrote a letter to the audience. He wrote it in a funny typewriter font. The playbill contained a fictitious cast list as well.
Chris Bean played Inspector Carter. Also, he directed, produced, and designed the props for the play. His other fake credits included costume designer, vocal coach, and box office manager.
Jonathan Harris played Charles Haversham. Robert Grove portrayed Thomas Colleymore. Dennis Tyde played Perkins, while Sandra Wilkinson acted as Florence Colleymore. Max Bennett took on the roles of Cecil Haversham and the gardener. Trevor Watson operated the light and sound. Annie Twilloli stage-managed the show. The playbill contained a real cast list as well.
The list identified the actors by their character names. Brandon J. Ellis played Trevor, while Ashley N. Hildreth excelled in the role of Annie. Chris Lanceley shined in the role of Chris. Clyde Voce portrayed Jonathan. Brent Bateman performed as Robert. Trevor Braun acted as Dennis. Caroline Chu played Sandra. Adam Petheridge played Max. The production stuck with the Duran Duran motif, even after its conclusion.
The house lights went up. “Girls on Film” by Duran Duran played in the theatre.
