The Comedy About Spies

Mischief Comedy - Nöel Coward Theatre

This review will self-destruct in 2 minutes. Jokes are thrown left right and centre, this piece is utter madness, and it is PERFECT. Clever, witty and the staging is divine. Mischief at their finest.

I left the Nöel Coward Theatre with abs of steel after watching this show, I laughed so much it was an actual work out. Mischief's brand-new show directed by Matt Dicarlo must be the next best comedy play, it is truly exquisite, and the original cast have put so much work into their roles.

The piece is set in London at the Piccadilly hotel and the MI6, CIA and KGB are all in the same place on a mission. What could possibly go wrong? You guessed it... EVERYTHING! A British agent has gone ROGUE and snatched some plans for a top-secret weapon. The KGB and CIA sneak to London to get their hands on the files. The mission takes them to the Piccadilly hotel, where staff are waiting for a secret shopper to review their hotel… little do they know there will be more than a secret shopper under cover in the hotel. Get ready for comic chaos and working out who is really undercover?! Drama, tension and complete madness… Mischief truly are the masters of comedy.

What makes for a great Mischief show? All the original cast and some new. One of the lead roles, Rosemary Wilson, is played by Adele James. It’s her debut with Mischief and she came in with a BANG! She plays Rosemary with power, she is such an interesting actress; whilst her comic timing is fantastic, she’s also really comforting to watch. Chris Leask and Charlie Russell have this hilarious dynamic as they play the two KGB spies. It’s also lovely to watch how the two completely different characters come together and form a beautiful bond, it’s great character development. Whilst Nancy Zamit as Janet Buchanan and Dave Hearn as Lance Buchanan play the two CIA agents. Zamit is playing Hearn’s character’s mum and her overbearing relationship with her son, the comedy comes from the relatability of her mother character. The whole cast give 110% energy, have fully embodied their crazy characters and have pristine comic timing.

The staging is chaos, planned and well executed chaos. Designed by David Farley. It is London on stage and helps break up the stage into each character group’s area. It’s impossible to get confused with what is going on in the story or on stage. There are planned out stunts and gags waiting to happen. For instance, Dave Hearn as Lance Buchanan is climbing through the windows of the hotel with a rope. As he goes into each room you see his rope is draped all around the hotel, when his Zamit pulls his rope; he tactfully switches with a dummy to show him being pulled through each of the rooms! It is hilarious. The staging is designed perfect to heighten the comedy and enhance the story.

This is a must see and whilst the show is ‘Top Secret’; it should absolutely not be kept quiet. It is one for all the family and you are guaranteed a fantastic time. The original cast have created something that is comedy gold, and this is Mischief at its top form. Great writing by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields. You would be absolutely mad to miss this one. If it was possible to give more than 5 stars, then this would be a 10-star show. It is a great example of what comedy theatre is from every creative aspect and Mischief are the masters of comedy theatre. They have a style of their own and their own authentic stamp.