West End Theatre Review – The Apollo Theatre
As part of its tour, Mischief’s Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is playing at the Apollo Theatre from 6th December until 26th January, before going to Nottingham, Aylesbury, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Canterbury. This show is written by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer, and directed by Matt DiCarlo (Moulin Rouge).
After a disastrous run of Peter Pan, the hapless Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society tries to put on a show again: this time a rendition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. But much to the chagrin of Chris Bean (the director), the show inevitably goes off the rails from the very beginning: with falling set pieces, missed entrances, a giant box of Maltesers, and a Kelly’s kitchen – amongst other things. As per the Cornley motto, “The show must go on, no matter the human cost”.
This show is full of festive fun, and it is full of laughter and joy – which is something that we can always rely on Mischief to deliver. Like The Play that Goes Wrong, it is a laugh a minute, and there are splashes of physical comedy thrown into the mix, which adds to the hilarity.
For the second time this year, Mischief is back on the West End: The Comedy about Spies having had a very successful run at the Noel Coward Theatre earlier this year. Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is back in the ‘goes wrong’ style that Mischief is internationally renowned and loved for, and it does not disappoint.
As always, the actors were superb: Henry Lewis gave a particularly hilarious performance as Robert/the Ghost of Christmas Present, and so did Chris Leask as Trevor/the Ghost of Christmas Future. Jonathan Sayer as Dennis/Bob Cratchit was very amusing, and Daniel Fraser as Chris Bean/Scrooge was extremely entertaining. Nancy Zamit as Annie/The Ghost of Christmas Past/Fred was very humorous, and Sasha Frost as Sandra/Belle/Mrs Cratchit was equally as hilarious. Matt Cavendish as Max played many roles too, which were all very comical.
The set was designed by Libby Todd (The 39 Steps), the lighting by David Howe (Mrs Warren’s Profession), and the costumes by Roberto Surace (The Play That Goes Wrong).
I was very lucky to have gone to one of Mischief’s open rehearsals for this play earlier this year, and I absolutely loved the experience. It was fascinating to be able to see behind Mischief’s process, and then to see it on stage a few months later, was very enjoyable.
I absolutely loved this show, and I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a festive and absolutely hilarious time. BAH HUMBUG!
Written by Helena Featherstone
Notes From Row H 
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