Ellie Morris and Elan James star in the West End Production of The Play That Goes Wrong, which recently reopened at the Duchess Theatre.
The Play That Goes Wrong is currently in its seventh year in London 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.
For anyone who isn’t familiar with The Play That Goes Wrong, how would you describe it?
Ellie: The play is a knockabout slapstick farce about a group of actors putting on a murder mystery play.
How did it feel returning to the show after so long away?
Elan: As everything this past year has been so up in the air, it was hard to ever fully believe it was going to happen. But when it finally did, it was like being shot out of a cannon. We had literally a matter of days to reunite as a company, put the show back on its feet and open our doors to the public once again. The audiences have been incredible, with a comedy the audience reaction goes a long way toward making the show what it is. Everyone on stage and in the auditorium are buzzing to be part of a live theatre experience again.
Tell us more about the roles you have in the show?
Ellie: I play Sandra. The most self centred member of the company. She plays the femme fatal and doesn’t like anyone encroaching on her part.
Elan: I play Jonathan, who, in The Murder at Haversham Manor, has been cast as Charles Haversham. For Jonathan, the play was really just an opportunity to get noticed, a launchpad, he hasn’t quite spent the time investing in the script that he should have. Jonathan is somewhat under prepared for his role in the show, which leads to a lot more stunt work than was ever written in for Charles Haversham.
Why do you think The Play That Goes Wrong has been such an enduring success, even spawning spin-offs?
Ellie: Slapstick comedy is very universal. Slipping on a banana skin is funny in any language. And I think it’s fun to see people keep on trying and carrying on even when so much is falling part around them!
What’s it like being part of the Mischief family?
Elan: With any show that has seen a few casts come and go, you end up building a common ground with people, some of whom you’ve never worked with on stage. You all know the very specific struggle of the show, the timing, the beats, and the array of audience reactions. The Mischief family do well to look after each other, it’s a particularly joyful group to be a part of when the highest goal is to simply make people laugh.
Do you have any memorable examples of where something has gone wrong that wasn’t supposed to, how do you deal with that situation?
Ellie: Generally the things that go wrong are the things that are supposed to! But there was one time when the door handle came off and you couldn’t open to door from onstage so anytime anyone had to exit they’d have to knock politely on the door and wait for someone on the other side to pop it open so they could leave!
What makes The Play That Goes Wrong the perfect show for audiences who want to return to the theatre?
Elan: If there is anything we’ve all needed over the past year and a half, it’s a reason to laugh. More importantly though, it’s an opportunity to share a laugh with strangers again. The show isn’t going anywhere so there’s no rush for those who want to take their time, but taking an opportunity to forget the worry and to let out a deep belly laugh in public is just what the doctor ordered.
Ellie Morris and Elan James can be seen in The Play That Goes Wrong at The Duchess Theatre, listings and ticket information can be found here.
