DISCUSS

It’s been said that there’s a very fine line between laughter and tears. Can you think of a time in your life when things went so horribly and disastrously wrong that it transitioned from being a tragedy into being a comedy? How did you respond?

The characters in this play are evidence of the old saying, “The show must go on.” Can you think of a time in your life where you bravely persisted and showed courage, endurance, or stamina in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds? What happened? Did your fortitude payoff?

Are you easily embarrassed? If so, what kinds of things embarrass you? If not, what tools or tactics do you use to keep yourself from feeling shy, embarrassed, or ashamed? How might you overcome embarrassment or help someone else do the same?

LEARN

How on earth do you make a play like this?

While the origins of things going wrong as a comedic “clownish” performance style can be traced back through mime, Commedia dell’arte, medieval court jesters, and fools of ancient Roman and Greek Theatre, the origin of this play is its own fascinating tale.

The Mischief Theatre Company has figured out the secret sauce to putting together theatre that is meant to fall apart. The company has a handsome oeuvre of productions with their signature brand of things going wrong in only the most hilarious ways. The company just closed an intentionally catastrophic run of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, and currently running off-broadway in NYC is their production of Mind Mangler: A Night of Tragic Illusion.

[If you’ve got a yearning for a pictorial history of the company, check out this gallery, where artist Harry Venning has composed a comic strip timeline, “A Short History of Mischief.”]

To put it briefly: the genius minds of this comic company began as an improv group in Britain that devised the beginnings of this production - formerly, A Murder before Christmas. They went on to debut a more developed production at an international fringe festival of theatre works. Meanwhile, the company produced Peter Pan Goes Wrong and it instantly took off, securing a well-sold run in London and earning a TV-broadcast of the play. From there, the company’s work has blown up internationally, touring the US, Australia, and the UK and expanding their oeuvre to TEN productions. As a company, they’ve managed to turn a nightmarish scenario into a crave-able feast of entertainment.

In a show like this, the set becomes a featured, riotous character. Original set designer for The Play that Goes Wrong, Nigel Hook, went on the record with the Broadway Box to share some insights and secrets of the set design.

VISIT

Keep the laughs rolling!

Here in Cleveland, we are fortunate to have an array of options for those looking to keep the comedy coming. On your next free night, skip the streaming and check out the live comics and improvisational performers who are keeping audiences in stitches and rolling in the aisles (It’s a chaotically good time).

Check out any of the following spots around Cleveland:

• Imposter Theatre Improv

• Hilarities at Pickwick and Frolic

• Snowflake Comedy Club

• Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant

• Secret Society Comedy Club

AND if your heart went aflutter at the mention of Duran Duran during the show, here’s some exciting news for you: Duran Duran is coming to Blossom Music Center this September!

If you’re interested in the development processes of new works (*check out the LEARN section) make sure to check out the New Ground Theatre Festival in June here at CPH or the many pieces being mounted for the Border Light Fringe Festival across Cleveland.

SHARE

Sometimes you just gotta laugh.

Fortunately, the mishaps during The Play that Goes Wrong are all planned so we can enjoy the numerous hijinx that ensue as this company of actors struggles to make it to the final bow. Sometimes in life we’re not so lucky, but we’re able to keep smiling anyway. Share with us a story of a time things went wrong for you and how you maneuvered your way through it.

I remember fondly the time my grade school did a production of Into the Woods Jr. and the 7th grader who played the Witch got her wig caught in a thicket of tree-like set dressing in the upstage left corner. In a moment of improvisational brilliance she howled, “BEGONE YOU WICKED CURS’ED SHRUBBERY! SHRIVEL AND DIE, I COMMAND YOU!” All the while. she was flailing in an attempt to free herself. Once she determined she was resolutely stuck, she removed herself from the tangled wig, spun around, and pointing a crooked finger at it, commanding “STAY!” She was met with triumphant applause and a chorus of laughter, hers included.

Email us your stories at insideCPH@clevelandplayhouse.com and share the laughter. We’ll post the submissions here for all to smile and maybe find some camaraderie amidst a kerfuffle.

EXPERIENCE

Take a spill with style (and safety)!

We were fortunate enough to have the skill and expertise of Jason Paul Tate to help our talented actors execute the variety of stunts and physical comedy bits. Out of sheer fear that we may inspire the younger masses to do these kinds of stunts with unmitigated reckless abandon, we thought we’d share with you some of the secrets and safety tips behind some of these hilarious physical comedy stunts.

Just below is a fun and accessible resource by the highly acclaimed clown, actor, teacher, director, and more, Jeff Dieffenbacher! In his video tutorials, Jeff shows beginning performers the way to build up their physical comedy skill sets. It should be noted that In these videos, Jeff starts slow building up strength and coordination, uses a padded surface, and has plenty of space all around him before working on any of these moves.

General Slapstick/Physical Comedy

Slips and Slides

Standing Falls

Chair Falls

Take a watch, maybe try some for yourself (SAFELY of course), and have fun building your own stories through physical comedy.

If you're looking for other inspiration take a look at any of these legends: Buster Keaton, Benny HIll, Lucille Ball, The Marx Brothers, The Three Stooges, Charlie Chaplin, or Laurel and Hardy.

We found this amazing blog: Comedy for Animators. In addition to its copious posts and tutorials, it features tags on the left side as you scroll down the page. Click on any one of the names and there will be information about the person and supplemental videos of their work. It’s great fun, and worth a watch!