“Dying is easy; comedy is hard.” So spoke actor Edmond Gwenn at the end of his life. No further proof is needed than Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The actors run up and down the aisles yelling before the play begins. Then, they run around the stage yelling their lines as they perform slapsticks to the shrieking delight of the audience.
Before the play even begins, the set gives away what’s to follow. It’s decidedly wonky, with broad pink stripes, a triple bunkbed, a huge trunk, and bowling pins far stage left.
The Darling family is more than a little weird. While the daughter is as pretty and graceful as a ballerina, the two brothers are just plain strange. They can’t wait for Peter Pan to come through the window searching for his shadow, so he can teach them all to fly. His shadow is a big, clunky actor who fumbles to catch up with Peter’s movements.
When they get to their destination, they are greeted by Tinkerbell, who turns out to be- wait! – the same actress who has appeared as both Mrs. Darling and the Maid. Casting by the stated producer, “Cornley Youth Theatre,” is unique, to say the least.
This production on Broadway is quite naturally compared to its predecessor, The Play That Goes Wrong. In all honesty, it’s just not as good. The timing isn’t as snappy, though all the performers do fine work with the sometimes-tortured yuks and taxing physicality. That set was also twice as rigged and the gags better timed.
For those who love “The Three Stooges,” and comedy of that ilk, this is definitely the show to see. The audience roared with laughter throughout the production, and the Broadway theater was packed. And there’s nothing Wrong with that.
