THE OLIVIER award-winning comedy group Mishchief bring Groan Ups to Malvern Theatres tomorrow (Monday).
The story follows an unruly classroom of six-year-olds – played by adults – on their journey through anarchic high school.
We see the teenagers face the challenges of adulthood in this fast-paced comedy full of slapstick comedy.
Picture by Pamela Raith Photography. s
One of the co-writers Henry Lewis said: “Groan Ups is indeed all about growing up. About how life becomes more complex.
“About how much (and sometimes how little!) things change over time, and about how events in our youth can change our lives forever.
“But at its heart Groan Ups is a joyful comedy, finding its fun in the madness of childhood, the agonies of adolescence and all the ridiculous things we do when we all finally pretend to be adults.”
Henry added the script was written over a few months and developed by director Kirsty and the original Mischief cast.
“We’ve done a few tweaks since the West End as well for the UK Tour.
“We always find the more you can refine something the sharper and funnier you can make it.”
As well as the physical gags and clever word-play Mischief is so well-known for, Henry added there was also a serious message going through Groan Ups.
“We made sure we gave the more heart-felt moments space to breathe in the show but also, we found that comedy and tragedy don’t always need to be compartmentalised.
“Some of my favourite moments in the show are where the two rub up against each other, funny lines said at heart-breaking moments and devastating lines spoken in a whirlwind of farce are extremely good fun.”
On what he has brought from his own childhood to the show, Henry said: “We each have one teacher’s name from our childhoods hidden in the script, and many of the situations are based on something similar to an experience we had growing up – although I never bellyflopped onto a hamster, I promise!
Mischief has gone from a small improv group in London to an internationally recognised and successful company – a true ‘rags to riches’ theatre story.
Henry added: “It’s been extraordinary. I’ve learned so much and have been so lucky to bring laughter to so many people.
“The pandemic has made me realise just how much of a privilege that is. I have so much fun writing and performing with the company and I’m very excited for the next chapter!”
Groan Ups runs from tomorrow to Saturday, January 31 to February 5.
Click here for times, tickets and more information.
Visit groan-ups.com for more on the show.
The show at the Wolverhampton Grand was reviewed for our sister paper the Bromsgrove Standard – click here to read what reviewer Euan Rose thought of the show.
