Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

Mischief Comedy - Apollo Theatre

Mischief are a gift that just keeps GIVING. This production opens up the Mischief world and shows us a sketch of the creative process before showing the show. They're comedy masters!

Another show from Mischief this year, and what a year it has been for them. This show will fill your theatre cup with laughs, gasps and festive joy. The audience gets a chance at the start of the show to get to know the characters in the Cornley Polytechnic Faculty, and references previous shows. This gives regular Mischief fans joy! The creative process before the show foreshadows to the audience the mayhem that is about to occur, and will have you gasping at moments that you wouldn't have even predicted. Waves of laughter fill the audience, and this is indeed the serotonin boost we all need this Christmas. It reminds you of the need to be a little unserious sometimes. The cast is a fusion of Mischief regulars and welcomes some new faces too!

If you have seen the version on BBC iPlayer, then this has somewhat similar moments, but it is ultimately a different show... as much as that can be. Of course, the Christmas Carol story doesn't change. Much. The cast includes one of the fabulous writers, Henry Lewis, and he plays Robert, the Clerk and the Ghost of Christmas Present. His battle to become Scrooge in the show is a playful element that keeps the audience engaged with the side story. Sasha Frost is a new face to Mischief, and she brings charm. Her character, Sandra, narrates the Christmas Carol, and among the chaos, she is a pillar that keeps her cool, and it is interesting to watch. You want to see a little more of her comic moments. Johnathan Sayer plays the lovely Dennis, and he plays this innocent and very lost character well! The audience feels empathy and wants to protect his character at all costs. Of course, our regular faces, Chris Leask, Greg Tannahill and Nancy Zamit are just as hilarious as always and have a great connection with the audience. Leask has a great skill in interacting with the audience and reacting quickly to whatever happens on stage! Director Matt DiCarlo has crafted seamless transitions, great stage and character directions. The cast is clearly ready for anything and everything!

If you haven't seen Mischief at all, just know their set is just chefs kiss, it's a work of fine art and hats off to Libby Todd on set design, because the design is a gift that just keeps on giving. It's shocking how brilliant it is. They set up some jokes before the main show begins, and you know moments are coming, but you truly aren't ready for how well executed and crazy these moments are. I would love to go into detail; however, I wouldn't want to ruin any jokes for you. The creative team are such an integral part of Mischief's work, and no area brings them down. Whilst the society in the story itself isn't strong, the team creating the show clearly are, and they just keep getting better and better.

It's always a delight being in the audience for one of the shows, Mischief show, so much appreciation to their whole team and those who watch and support them. Their dedication to creating comedy theatre is inspirational. Whilst their shows are very much unserious, they are serious about what they create. It was so much fun to have they reference other shows and integrate that in; this not only feels like a nod to their supporters, but gets you interested in their previous work. There is an abundance of really clever elements to this show, and something that will get everyone. I personally was a fan of Scrooge's nephew's kitchen; now that was a scene that had me laughing the most. It makes you want a tour of the set! Mischief never fails to uplift and inspire its audiences. This is THE Christmas Carol to see this year... unless you want to learn the Dickens' story for an upcoming test... if so, maybe not. What's next?! Your audience can't wait for more Mischief Comedy shows!