What a play, the two Henry’s, Lewis and Shieldshave ‘cracked the funny bone’ with this one. What is there not to like about Englishmen MI6, Russian KGB and American CIA agents getting it not quite right!
If you enjoyed The PLAY That Goes Wrong, well this play is one for the bucket list. The Mischief Company present The Comedy About Spies, with espionage, lots of sneaking about undercover and a dash of James Bond, wonderful. The cast’s opening gambit sets the scene in 1960’London, on a mission ‘Project Midnight’ to track down documents to avert an international disaster. With an ensemble of dialogue to make you cringe and laugh out loud the agents named by letters of the alphabet start a confusing conversation: “this mission is for you no not you U” “Why” agent Y walks in “not you Y get out, U walks in, yes you” and so it continues.
The scene soon changes to the lobby of the Piccadilly Hotel, as the guests and agents check into their rooms. Each agent starts to plot and scheme to trick the other spies into divulging information about the whereabouts of the ‘the intelligence’ “the drop off” the bag of documents. Caught up in this mayhem are the innocent bystanders. A Baker who spontaneously arrives to surprise his girlfriend with a proposal of marriage and an actor auditioning for the role of James Bond “ooh seven”. There are the predictable twists and turns you would expect throughout with clowning around and spoof. The play on words will have you appreciating the comedy timing and clever writing by Lewis and Shields under the direction of Dicarlo.
This story moves fast, and the scene changes are slick. The memorable highlights were the scenes within the bedrooms of the Piccadilly Hotel. Set out in contrasting colours split into four miniature rooms like a toy dolls house provide a real sense of enjoyment and delight as each agent/s and guests become embroiled in the plot, with mistaken identities and stunts which leave you crying with laughter. A real comedy of errors. These short bursts of acting produced some of the real laugh out loud moments for me and the audience and there is plenty to laugh about throughout. References to a threesome with a mother and son and the actor maybe misplaced within the context of society but the overall jokes superseded the true intention. The accents leave a lot to be desired and add to the hilarious display from Chris Leake and Charlie Russell, there were standout performances from all the cast. The wit of the hapless Actor Douglas Woodbead writer Henry Lewis and Bernard Wright Henry Sheilds reinforces what a cohesive and genius partnership they have created, Bravo.
Written by Henry Lewis & Henry Shields
Direction by Matt Dicarlo
Set Design David Farley
Costume Designer Deborah Andrews
Time 2 hours 20 minute and 20-minute interval
Booking Link – https://www.mischiefcomedy.com/whats-on/the-comedy-about-spies/london/
Playing until 5th September 2025
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 13th May 2025
North West End UK Rating: