A HILARIOUS MISSION GONE SPECTACULARLY WRONG

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: nobody does chaotic comedy like Mischief. Their latest West End show, The Comedy About Spies, is another absolute masterclass in blending quick-fire wit, physical comedy, and theatrical mayhem. Somehow, they still manage to make it feel sharp, fresh, and effortless.

What always stands out with Mischief productions is the writing. It’s unbelievably clever. The script is packed with wordplay, puns, and miscommunication moments so perfectly timed it makes your head spin (in the best way). The CIA/KGB scene where poor Henry Shield’s character becomes a double, triple, quadruple agent, and Dave Hearn suddenly has to list off all the possible handover locations at lightning speed? Genuinely jaw-dropping. I have no idea how he memorised it, let alone delivered it flawlessly. I would’ve faceplanted into the Thames.

Speaking of the Thames… yes, there’s a dock set. Along with a London skyline, a hotel lobby, four separate bedrooms, and even a lift shaft. The set design is brilliant and classic Mischief: flexible enough for everything to go “wrong,” but clearly crafted with precision. The “split screen” fight scene? Hysterical. The wind-blown train bit? Had the audience in stitches. And the lift shaft moment? No spoilers, but trust me, it’s brilliant. Props to Set Designer David Farley!There’s only one moment I’d maybe trim slightly, a slightly overlong early chase sequence, but that’s just nitpicking. The rest? Absolute gold. The cast are ridiculously talented (including original Mischief legends like Hearn, Lewis, and Russell). You can tell they’re having just as much fun as the audience.

Special mention to Adam Byron, who stepped in for Henry Lewis and absolutely smashed it. He plays an actor who just thinks he’s auditioning for James Bond. Completely unaware he’s been caught up in a spy war. Also, it’s nearly impossible to pick a standout because the whole cast are amazing. But keep an eye out for Tim Plank, the spleen doctor from Guernsey, played by Chris Leask. He’s the “cover story” for one of the KGB agents and it gets more ridiculous every time it’s mentioned.

Bonus points for the early gag about agent code names. When someone says “I see” and agents I and C literally appear like “yes?”, I cackled. And the completely unintentional “threesome” misunderstanding? Utter chaos in the best way.

And that ending? The twist… then the twist on the twist? Honestly, no notes. Just book a ticket. It’s smart, silly, fast-paced fun that’ll leave your face aching from laughing. Pure spy spoof perfection.

The Comedy About Spies is running at Noel Coward Theatre until Friday 5 September.

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