I’m not quite sure why The Play that Goes Wrong has proven so popular in Utah, but I suppose theaters in the area are always on the lookout for amusing straight plays that are relatively family friendly. Nevertheless practically every company has done this farce, and I admit to being a bit weary of it. However, when I heard West Valley Performing Arts Center was going to tackle it I was immediately intrigued because I have never seen it done by a theater in the round before. So many of the gags revolve around a 2nd story study falling apart and various items on the walls and doors that I wondered how it could be done in a theater in the round where there are no walls and doorways are limited. Fortunately director Kristi Curtis and her team have found a way to make the production work well and the talented cast delivers an entertaining evening at the theater.

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The Play That Goes Wrong first appeared in London in 2012 as part of the Mischief Theatre Company. It is written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields and can currently be seen in London and Off-Broadway in NYC. The concept behind the play is a community theater company has the worst luck when putting on a mystery performance of The Murder at Haversham Manor. This provides a setting where we not only get lots of jokes about the putting on of a performance (ala Noises Off!) but also lots of jabs at murder mystery plays such as The Mousetrap, which has been running in the West End for decades.

The cast at WVPAC are a big part of what makes this show work so well. They are all skilled at physical comedy and commit themselves to every gag whether it be falling from a platform or having a door slammed in their face. My favorite was Samuel Wright as Dennis who is playing the butler Perkins in the play. The gag for his character is he always forgets his lines which he has written on his hand and says incorrectly to great comedic effect. I particularly laughed at one moment where he is exasperated by the goings-on of the play and wants to give up on it all together. Given the chaos afoot it’s a mystery why all the actors aren’t equally despondent.

The downside to the production at WVPAC is they can’t completely make up for the configuration of the round stage. Much of the jokes depend on your line of sight to be able to appreciate them, and I missed out on some being on the west side of the venue. They get as much humor out of the corner door but it can get crowded and difficult to see what is happening despite being close to the action. I’m not sure how one fixes this as without blocking out a huge portion of seats which isn’t practical. I appreciate the actors move up and down the aisles and even into the seats on a few occasions. This immersion helps account for a few missed jokes.

That said, any imperfections in the venue are made up for by the high comedic energy of the cast and their nailing of so many funny scenes. It’s as my Grandma would say a real hoot.

The Play That Goes Wrong is playing at WVPAC until March 1st and tickets can be purchased here.

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