Interview: Actor Harry Kershaw on Mischief’s GOOD LUCK, STUDIO

Good Luck, Studio is a new dark adult comedy from Mischief Theatre, which makes its world premiere in Colchester at the end of the month. We spoke to seasoned Mischief performer Harry Kershaw, who plays Sean, about this brand new production.

Tell us a bit about Good Luck, Studio and how does it differ from previous work from Mischief?

Good Luck, Studio is a new comedy play from Mischief Theatre, written by Henry Shields and directed by Henry Lewis. It takes place during the filming of the last ever episode of a children’s TV show. The children’s TV show is massively behind schedule, massively over budget and a complete nightmare! Just when you think things can’t get any worse, they do. It has lots of the slapstick elements that fans of previous Mischief shows will love but I would say it’s a darker comedy than previous Mischief work. There’s also a cartwheeling dragon.

As you say, Good Luck, Studio is a little darker than previous Mischief productions. What has it been like to work on?

I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m sure everyone says that but honestly, it’s true. It’s always really exciting to work on something brand new. Working out what works and what doesn’t work and watching this thing change and grow throughout the rehearsal process is wonderful. 

How have you approached creating a show of a different genre, whilst still making sure the things that people love about Mischief are still there?

Well, as I say, many of the elements that people have really enjoyed in previous Mischief shows are there. There’s lots of slapstick, lots of laughs and a huge sense of fun and ridiculousness as well as some great jokes. At its heart, it still has all of that but this play also explores darker themes and ideas. Hopefully there’s a real sense of danger in this play. I think there’s room for both things. As a performer, you can only play what is in front of you. This is slightly different in tone and part of the rehearsal process is working out exactly what it is that we have got.

You work with Mischief quite regularly - how did you first get involved with the company and what makes you keep going back?

I first got involved with Mischief on the foundation course at LAMDA. We loved improvising and took an improvised show called Let’s See What Happens to the Edinburgh Fringe when I was maybe 19 years old. I had no idea what I was doing really but I just loved the sense of fun and play. Later, when many of us were at various drama schools, we got together and improvised in a rehearsal room on the weekend because we loved doing it and it was a bit of a shelter from what can often be quite an intense experience at drama school. It’s great to be in a rehearsal room and have fun. But it’s also a room full of people who are serious about creating something really funny and who have the ability and inclination to go into the specific detail that that requires. That’s a really great environment to be in.

The Goes Wrong concept has become immensely popular around the world. When did you realise it was something really special that was going to take off to become as big as it is today?

I was first in Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington. No idea at that point, just overjoyed to be doing a play with my friends. We then took it on tour and did a show in Swindon, which was basically just some available members of my family and an admittedly very enthusiastic theatre usher. I then took over from Henry Shields as Chris Bean in the West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong. The show had done really well and audiences were really laughing but there was nobody famous in it and no guarantee people would keep coming to see it. To everybody’s surprise, people have done!

You've performed at a variety of regional venues, as well as West End theatres. What makes UK regional theatre so important and how do regional audiences differ from London ones?

I’ve seen some of my favourite ever shows in regional theatres and done some of my favourite ever shows in regional theatres. Every regional theatre is different. I’ve never performed in Colchester so I have no idea what to expect. Regional theatre is really important for theatre in the UK.

What can audiences expect from Good Luck, Studio and why should they come to see the show?

They can expect a really good night out. Unless you really aren’t in the mood for a really good night out, this is almost certainly for you! 

Good Luck, Studio plays at the Mercury Theatre Colchester from 30 September-15 October, before visiting Salisbury and Guildford. For more information, please click here.