Anya De Villiers has joined the West End Production of The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre.
The Play That Goes Wrong is the longest running West End comedy and was one of the first West End productions to reopen after theatre closures due to the pandemic.
Awarded the 2014 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy, the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and a Tony Award for the Broadway transfer, The Play That Goes Wrong continues to delight audiences in the West End. The show’s success is a testament to the hard work and determination of a group of drama school graduates who became friends, set up a company under the name ‘Mischief’ and created an extraordinary body of work.
You’ve joined the cast of The Play That Goes Wrong, tell us a little about the show?
The Play That Goes Wrong is a rollercoaster comedy written in a play within a play format. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, an amateur dramatics group, have somehow landed a West End theatre for the night and are putting on a production of a 1920s murder mystery…or at least trying their hardest to! As the title would suggest it certainly doesn’t go to plan, and ample chaos and silliness ensues.
How does it feel making your West End debut in such a successful show?
It’s a total joy to be West End debuting with this show and to run with the Mischief baton for a while. I adore the show and the people who work on it – I certainly feel very lucky to share a home at the Duchess for the year. The audience also play such an important role in the mechanics of the play, and we are so lucky to have had such fun and supportive audiences, some new and some who are seeing the show for the 7th time, who are ready to laugh and have fun with us.
Tell us more about your role?
I play the character Sandra who is the vain, glamorous and sassy diva of the Cornley Drama Society. I think she probably imagines herself to be the modern day Marylin Monroe or Audrey Hepburn, though alas her talents would suggest otherwise. Within the play Sandra plays Florence Colleymore; the leading lady in the murder mystery.
Why do you think The Play That Goes Wrong has been such an enduring success, even spawning spin-offs?
I think comedy is so universally enjoyed and this is an incredibly well-crafted piece of comedy – a credit to the masterful writing/devising of the original Mischief crew – it entwines slapstick, clever wit, and silliness; so whatever your sense of humour you are guaranteed a laugh. Besides anything else; to be in a room bubbling over with giggles, squeals and fun is the absolute best feeling and I think that’s what this play and Mischief abundantly offers. I suppose a good laugh is timeless!
What’s it like being part of the Mischief family?
The Mischief family have given us the warmest welcome. Throughout the technical crew, creatives, original and previous casts, there is a definite sense that the Mischief family is a place for kind, generous, joyful and silly people. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by the Mischief family for the year. I am yet to have a rehearsal or show day where someone doesn’t make me truly belly laugh.
Has anything gone wrong for real since you joined the cast?
Well…we have all survived the first month which is a promising sign.. luckily the show has lots of health and safety precautions in place so hopefully we won’t end up as badly injured and scraped as our characters by the end of the run. We’ll let you know how that goes.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to see The Play That Goes Wrong?
Stop thinking about it and come along! We would so love to have you. Leave all seriousness at the door and have some fun. We certainly do.
