Mischiefs theatre’s return to the stage was always going to have some rather large shoes to fill. With an impressive run of shows such as ‘The show that goes wrong’ theatregoers who know their work will be sat in their seats waiting with the anticipation that can only come from knowing you’re going to proper belly laugh for the next couple of hours.
It must be a huge relief then, that their new show about a group of kids growing up is as outstandingly hilarious as advertised.
The show starts with the announcement that a group from year 2 (that’s around six years old) will be doing a presentation about their weekends. When an ensemble cast of adults make their way up onto the stage your mind is in two places, will this be great or will this be cringe-worthy adults playing children, the former is certainly true in this case. As soon as the cast begins, the auditorium is filled with contagious energy as they skip and bounce their way through the first scene of the play introducing us to the different characters.
As the play goes on we are taken from one outrageous childhood scenario to another as the cast grows up through the various school years. Including awkward teen flirting and kissing.
The cast is simply sublime, with comic timing that delivers each joke, punch line, and physical gag with the same expertise as expected from any world-class comedian.
The dynamic this ensemble has is truly enchanting from start to finish, Matt Cavendish’s portrayal of the awkward and lonely Simon is definitely not one to miss. The same can be said of any of the cast as their energy carries you through the next two hours and twenty minutes, without once taking your eyes off of them.
The stage design is spectacular with the perspective being manipulated to make the actors look like small toddlers and shrinking as the play travels through the years.
As things come to a head, the characters have more emotional strings to pull at and when those moments are exquisitely delivered they affect you even more.
A truly outstanding piece of theatre that I would be extremely happy to purchase tickets for again.
Reviewed by - Robin Hannagan-Jones