Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Noel Coward Theatre, London
Cast: Dave Hearn, Adele James, Chris Leask, Henry Lewis, Charlie Russell, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill and Nancy Zamit
When a rogue British agent pilfers plans for a top-secret weapon, CIA and KGB spies converge on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. Add to the mix a clueless young couple, a hapless actor angling for the role of James Bond, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, and you’ve got a mission that’s hilariously out of control!
The brilliant minds of Mischief have done it again, delivering another incredibly clever slapstick comedy that will have you laughing until you can’t breathe.
Well, I certainly felt that way. Laughter is certainly these agents' choice of weapons. In this riotous new adventure, we follow the Mischief agents as a rogue British operative steals plans for a top-secret mission. Cue a chaotic chase involving CIA and KGB spies, all converging on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. Add to the mix a clueless young couple, a hapless actor desperately trying to land the role of James Bond, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operatives, and you’ve got a mission that spirals hilariously out of control. It’s a whirlwind of mistaken identities, pratfalls, and perfectly timed mayhem, a laugh-out-loud ride from start to finish.
Henry Lewis plays his larger than life brilliant self as Douglas Woodbead while also reminding me of his character in The Mind Mangler. He delivers with such a performance that really gets you laughing. Then we have Henry Shields who plays the adorable, but clueless, Bernard Wright, who gets sucked into the chaos and I can’t help but feel this character is reminiscent of John Cleese's character from Faulty Towers.
Dave Hearn really works up a sweat in this role, in terms of how physically active his character, Lance Buchanan, is; you'll work up a sweat just watching him! No spoilers in this review but the scene with him “being pulled” from the windows was so incredibly clever; he brings an Ace Ventura vibe with his character. Nancy Zamit who plays Janet Buchanan (Lance Buchanan's overbearing mother) forms a brilliant double act with Hearn and this pairing brings some of the show's biggest laughs.
Charlie Fay Russell plays the gorgeous Russian spy Elena Popov - the real question: is there a role this woman can’t play? I don’t think so, Charlie is epically witty and just a pure joy to watch on stage. Chris Leask’s performance as Sergei Iavnov was an absolute standout and he managed to steal every scene he appeared in. His comedic timing and physical expressiveness had me in stitches, almost to the point where I was struggling to breathe. His portrayal reminded me of what a real-life Gru from Despicable Me might be like if he were a spy; chaotic, bizarrely endearing, and unpredictably brilliant. Leask brought such unique energy to the role that it elevated every moment he was on stage. A truly unforgettable performance.
That said, the entire ensemble worked brilliantly together. Each performer played a vital role in moving the story along. I really did enjoy Matt Cavendish's turn as the little old lady; while it was a smaller role, it had its impact and had me howling with laughter.
I absolutely adore the Mischief cast; the chemistry on stage is brilliant, and their impeccable timing and camaraderie elevate the comedy to another level. You can see the level of commitment and the tremendous work that has gone into this production. Every moment is packed with energy, precision, and heart.
From its clever staging from David Farley, to the meticulously choreographed scenes from Shelley Maxwell, no detail has been left untouched in creating this truly wonderful masterpiece of theatre.
This show is something special, and hopefully it will be on the West End for years to come. Trust me, this is a show not to be missed...should you choose to accept this mission.
You can book tickets to see The Comedy About Spies, here.
Review by Sarah
**photo credit: Mark Senior/Matt Crockett**
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