THE PLAY That Goes Wrong has been something of an institution in British theatre since it was first produced a decade ago.
It lays bare the pitfalls of a stage production, with performers blurring the lines between humorous oversight and high-orchestrated chaos.
It follows a fictitious drama society as they stage a play within the play, which comes apart at the seams as it goes on.
Mischief is the company behind the show, and among them is Reading-born Scott Hunter.
Scott made their West End debut with Mischief in Magic Goes Wrong, and now returns for The Play That Goes Wrong’s run at The Duchess Theatre.
Scott says that their time working with Mischief was “really, really incredible.
“They’re so willing to give over all of their wisdom, they’re so generous with their time, and they really let you explore and have fun doing the job.”
The deceptively cavalier attitude to the technicalities of the production is one of the company’s unique aspects for both audiences and performers, though it belies a professional and considered approach to the staging.
“There’s definitely freedom in the process,” Scott says.
“I’ve never experienced this much freedom to bring what I want to the role and bring different ideas to the role throughout rehearsal.
“Whilst the run is on we’re still encouraged to try new things and find the funniest option.”
Scott says the ability to be creative and bring one’s own experiences and thoughts to the process empowers actors.
“It’s quite rare for us to have so much freedom and so much leeway and what we decide to do with our interpretations of the character.”
“Stands apart from other productions– although it can be similar on different viewings, interpretations of the characters can be wildly different.”
They say also that there is a balance between the “push and pull” of staying true to a classic interpretation of a written work and bringing fresh elements.
“But I think with comedy, as long as you’re being really specific with your beats, with the truth of the story, you’re able to be quite adventurous with how to find your funny, your specific comedy style.”
Scott plays Max, a passionate and optimistic member of the Cornley Drama Society.
They say: “It’s a show within a show– the society is working hard to put on a murder mystery, The Murder at Haversham Manor.
“It’s opening night, and as the title suggests, nothing goes the way it’s supposed to.”
Scott says that the premise of the play in itself also allows the actors freedom to work any actual mistakes into the production.
“There’s a lot of technical elements in the play that we always observe because they inform our safety, and that’s most important.”
“But you’re really allowed to play and elasticate the mistakes, and that’s always a great feeling, empowerment and freedom.”
Scott says that levity is an important factor in both performance and in one’s personal life, though to varying degrees.
“I think specifically with performance, a lot of the time a good rule to go by is to take the work seriously, but not yourself.
“I definitely try and live by that– I mean, it’s it’s a hard thing to learn, but it’s about removing ego, and focusing more on the part of you that is has something to say.
“When identity comes into play, it’s a little bit different– as a career, I play other people but in my day to day life, I think I don’t take myself seriously but I respect myself and those are two different things.”
Regarding identity and representation within the media, Scott says “What we don’t need is tokenistic representation.
“We don’t need a character there just to say that they’re there– there’s a space and a need for stories that show a journey through different struggles,
“Because that can give something of a road map to others to navigate their own struggles.
“More and more, we need characters who are just experiencing life and it’s just a part of them, it’s not the whole.”
Speaking of just some of the characters that they would love to play, Scott says that May from & Juliet is a particular favourite.
“I’m a trained musical theatre performer, and I do still love it still holds such a place in my heart.
“That character was written and created as a non binary character and there are so few of those characters around.
“It’s just a really fun musical with a great set of songs in it, and that character for me would probably feel very affirming.”Scott Hunter will join the rest of Mischief in The Play That Goes Wrong’s showings at The Duchess Theatre in the West End until April 2023.
For more information, or to book tickets, visit: www.mischiefcomedy.com.
