On Friday, Nov. 11, I arrived at SCHS to watch “The Play that Goes Wrong” put on by the drama department. The chilly wind surrounded me as I was greeted into the theater lobby by a cast member. After paying for a ticket, I walked into the theater as One Direction music filled the room. Unaware of what to expect, I wondered if the play would be worth spending my Friday night watching.

“The Play that Goes Wrong” performed on Nov. 11 and 12 and Nov. 18 and 19, is about a murder in a mansion, and the only people present were one detective and four witnesses. Throughout the production, the cast aimed to find the person who committed the murder. A unique twist to the play was incorporating an imitation of a different stage company that had performed poor quality shows. By adding intentional mistakes referencing the stage company, SCHS actors were able to add comedic lines and on spot acting. 

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At the start of the play, I was a little confused as it felt difficult to follow along with the names of the characters and the scenes. As the plot moved along and the play took off, everything started to make sense, and I completely understood it. All the intentional mistakes, such as messing up a line or tripping over something, were a colorful addition to the play and made everyone in the audience laugh. Even though I knew the mistakes were staged, they did not feel out of place and were well-incorporated into the play.

All the cast members spoke with a clear and loud voice, helping the audience hear them with ease. The cast showed lots of emotion, such as fear, confusion and humor in every line, making it all the more entertaining. Additionally, the lighting and effects added more enthusiasm to the play. In one scene, the lighting changed to red and all the characters froze in funny poses, imitating comic book scenes. During important scenes, the spotlight shone on certain characters, helping to add depth to the story and maintain the audience’s interest.

Overall, the production was spot on, and each line fell into place with the story. Laughter constantly filled the theater and bright smiles shone on the audience’s faces. As the cast came out for a final bow as applause and cheers echoed through the building.

“The Play that Goes Wrong” showcased by the drama department for the 2022-2023 school year is one of a kind. Its humor and comedy made the audience lively and engaged with the plot. The play was a great introduction to represent the drama department’s abilities, and my Friday night left me with an enjoyable memory.