Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Henry Shields, Bryony Corrigan, Charlie Russell, Jonathan Sayer, Nancy Zamit, Dave Hearn, Greg Tannahill, Henry Lewis, Chris Leask, Ellie Morris.
British television comedy is in the middle of much need, and timely, renaissance, one that isn’t afraid of entertaining the populace, of holding true to value, and is fully versed in being witnessed as unique, adaptable, and fierce in its motives.
In amongst the abundance of comedies to have found their way to the nation’s screens in the last decade, stands supremely the band of intrepid troupers of The Goes Wrong Show and their alter ego counterparts of The Cornley Drama Society; and as the second season, one that like many shows and theatre productions where the feel of the live setting is as important as the production itself. It must be noted that what transpires is comedy of the highest order, of farce in its purest and most deliciously eyebrow raising way, and the greatest of accolades when you consider what the cast put themselves through whilst maintaining the illusion of double presenting, of playing in effect two characters at the same time.
From the opening show of the series, the magnificent Summer Once Again, in which the meta of the situation weaved itself online via their website and the surreal nature of a rebellious coup of the company and the antagonism between Chris Bean and Robert, played superbly by Henry Shields and Henry Lewis, and through the sublime historical drama The Most Lamentable…, with one of the greatest ever one liners in television history, delivered with artistry by Bryony Corrigan, the prison drama contained in There Is No Escape, and the two back to back exposes of The Cornley Drama Festival, the cast took the challenge by the horns and produced a series of exceptional quality.
In any team, there is not usually room for the individual to shine, and perhaps that is the right response to the ethic of the troupe, especially when there is the sense of the extraordinary chance of being regarded as one of the most enjoyable groups on television in the early part of the 21st Century, and yet not only is this series to be seen as the group effort in the same way as for example BBC’s Ghosts, but as one that pushes each actor to their absolute best.
From script to stage, The Goes Wrong Show is an absolute delight, an ensemble at the top of its powers, and one that surely will see another series come to the screen next year.
Ian D. Hall