So Wrong It’s Right!

Naomi MacKay gets an invite to the Cornley University Society’s performance of Peter Pan at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre – what could possibly go wrong?!

When a community production of Peter Pan takes to the stage, the magic of the show is that everyone gets out alive!

From the now much-loved Mischief Productions comes Peter Pan Goes Wrong – a rambunctious romp that offers a play within a play as we watch the drama society’s chaotic latest production.

Along the same lines as its parent The play That Goes Wrong, the show is a guide to what not to do for any am-dram performance.

A cross between slapstick, farce and panto – I have to admit I wasn’t expecting to like it. Comedy productions have to be spot on to please – but I can say that this is the funniest funny play I have ever seen.

A combination of top-notch performances and the most incredible comic timing was so successful that it left many audience members wiping away tears – I haven’t laughed so much in a theatre before.

With an over-amorous Peter Pan, a director and co-director (sorry, assistant director) constantly at odds, a love-sick Michael, a performer wearing headphones to receive the lines he hasn’t learned, and a stage manager who finds himself in the leading role, it’s fast, funny and frenetic from start to finish.

There’s just enough audience participation to please, without being over the top or intrusive – talking of which, make sure you take your seats early, because the performance begins in the auditorium before the curtain goes up.

The finale, taking part on a revolving stage that won’t stop revolving, left us all hooting – and in awe of the precise timing and physicality needed to make it work seamlessly.

And of course, we all know that no performance of Peter Pan is complete without seeing the eponymous hero flying gracefully above the stage – yeah, that doesn’t happen either!

Fly over to the box office and book your seats now – you won’t be disappointed. The show ends with a Sunday matinee – skip your Sunday roast and take the family to see this instead!

Peter Pan Goes Wrong runs until Sunday 8 October. Tickets are available at: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee) or call 0844 871 7615 (Fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per min plus your phone company’s access charge).

Image credit: Pamela Raith Photography