Reviews

For some in the audience it possibly takes a while to ‘get’ this production because it’s really a ‘play within a play’.

The Play That Goes Wrong  is a title that covers what in fact is a horribly bad production of a murder mystery put on by amateurs, who themselves are played by The Play That Goes Wrong’s supremely skilled professional actors. These professionals demonstrate some of the best physical comedy you’re ever likely to see.

The dark aspects of the play give limited scope for a more light-hearted approach. Yet, while still exploring the descent into evil that Macbeth (Andy Delves) undergoes, OZ ACT manages to keep the play in a relatively unthreatening sphere. Delves makes the spiralling descent from decency to depravity an interesting journey.

The lights dim and Gavin Roach appears in a suitably lairy outfit of overalls, a pink hat and pink Doc Martins. He’s belting out the flattest version of “I’m walking on sunshine” you’ll ever hear. It’s no surprise given the show’s title.

After a brief introduction recounting his memories of being a Madonna-crazed school boy, it’s time for the next musical interlude, Madonna’s “Like a prayer”.

Any show that sends you out smiling is not to be sniffed at. The Pajama Game, as staged by Northern Light, delivers an evening of generally pleasant entertainment, with a more-than-solid cast working hard to overcome unfortunate opening night issues with the sound system that rendered the performance less satisfying than it might have been.