MONTY Python, Fawlty Towers, Hammer Horror, Mel Brooks and Buster Keaton – you name it, every comedic genre makes guest appearances in this inspiring smashing production.
If you feel like letting your hair down and forgetting about Brexit, tennis or the World Cup, this is ideal entertaining escapism.
The play that goes wrong does exactly what it says on the poster - inviting you into the world of amateur dramatics where everything goes horribly wrong from the outset.
It has been a West End hit for years and it's easy to see why.
When you walk in to the Empire you see on stage a compact stately home set.
It looks static but, before long, it takes on a life of its own.
It has all the atmosphere of an Agatha Christie meets Sherlock Homes melodrama with inspired dialogue straight out of The Two Ronnies and suitably OTT performances.
We are here to see the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society's production of Murder at Haversham Hall.
it's a mystery in every sense of the word.
Our fictitious cast are delightfully clueless. including: oddball butler, the anyone-for-tennis red blazer type and sexy leading lady.
A 12-strong ensemble cast give 100 per cent in the slapstick department with mis-cued lines, coping acrobatically with crashing down props and all manner of disasters.
It all takes place in two frenetic acts over two hours and five minutes (with an interval).
There's no music but a stream of subtle sound effects.
And a huge Bravo goes to understudy actress Louisa Sexton, who plays understudy Annie. How that's for dramatic irony.
The finale happily ties up the wacky whodunit.
But even as I write this I'm still not sure who did it and why.
Anyway, who cares? This is a very, very funny show.
Many people in the audience were crying with laugher throughout – and there's no better compliment.
The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society deserve rave reviews for all the wrong reasons. They are indeed super troupers.
A lovely, laugh out loud joy.
Crazy Comedy Capers Four stars
The show is at the Liverpool Empire until Saturday.
Tickets from the box office on 0844 8713017.
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