The Play That Goes Wrong, Courtesy
HASTINGS — Hastings Community Theatre is ending its spectacular 65th season on a high note with the uproarious, Olivier Award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong!
Written by the brilliant minds of Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, this laugh-out-loud production promises to deliver non-stop hilarity. Directed by the talented Berice Rosenberg, with Emily Reinhard as assistant director, prepare for a night of chaos, comedy, and unforgettable moments that you won’t want to miss!
“The Play That goes Wrong’ is a farce about the opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor. The show has everything you never wanted to see, including an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter!
The current cast delivers a standout performance, demonstrating not only a strong command of the material but also a genuine passion for their roles. Kris Wilcox is particularly memorable as Robert, captivating the audience with his impeccable comedic timing. Adam VanderVeer is a comic force as Max, stealing scene after scene with his hilariously inept charm and boundless energy. Colin Sandall earns high praise for his portrayal of Chris, the exasperated actor-director, infusing the role with a natural charisma and a sharp, John Cleese–like precision. Morwenna Limper, as the beleaguered stage manager Annie, masterfully underscores the madness with expert timing, facial expressions, and emotionally charged reactions. Sara Shirley is gloriously over-the-top as Florence. She delivers a delightfully exaggerated performance, embracing the character’s melodramatic flair and emotional extremes with wide-eyed determination that adds yet another layer of humor to the unfolding mayhem.
The stage crew are the unsung heroes of this production. They’re as much a part of the performance as the actors. Every set malfunction, every prop mishap, every ‘accidental’ disaster has to be timed to perfection. It’s like a backstage ballet happening behind the scenes, and they absolutely nail it. The show demands absolute precision—every fall, missed cue, collapsing set piece—it all has to go exactly wrong in the right way. The cast and crew spent weeks meticulously blocking scenes down to the inch. It’s not just about comedic timing; it’s about safety, trust, and rhythm. It’s physical comedy at its most intricate.
The production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” is set to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday on April 25, 26, 27 and May 2, 3 and 4. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. Hastings Community Theatre is located in the Good Samaritan Village, 515 S 4th Ave, Hastings. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $22.00 for Seniors/Students. Tickets will be available online at www.hctheatre.org beginning April 7th. Tickets will also be available at the door on performance nights until sold out.
