Interview: Actor Rolan Bell on Mischief’s THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

Mischief’s original production,The Play That Goes Wrong, is currently enjoying its 9th year in the West End. We spoke to recently joined cast member Rolan Bell about his role as Robert, joining the longest running comedy in the West End and the precision required to create the chaos that unfolds during the show.

How does it feel to join the cast of The Play That Goes Wrong, the longest running comedy in the West End?

In one word, great. For the past few years I’ve focused on TV and film, while also becoming a father, which has been a blessing but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t missed the buzz of the West End, and stage in general, so to return to the stage with a show as hilarious as The Play That Goes Wrong is beyond any hopes I’d had getting back into the swing of things.

Why do you think The Play That Goes Wrong has proven so popular?

It’s so well written that it takes your expectations, pushes beyond them and then goes even further. To this day, what Mischief have discovered with the “goes wrong” element holds The Play That Goes Wrong in a position of uniqueness. And to be frank, the show is simply hilarious and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ran another 20 years.

Since the show opened, and with the addition of the television series, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society characters have become much loved for many people. Why do you think this is?

Well there’s something very endearing about a character or characters, trying so hard to make things work, failing and coming up with somewhat ridiculous but somehow quite ingenious solutions. I suppose the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society encourage the sort of love and support many people had, or still have, for Mr Bean.

What is your favourite thing about being in The Play That Goes Wrong?

Being part of a show that still has me laughing at the comic choices my fellow cast members make night after night, this far into the run. I’m working with an incredible cast and I’m loving it.

Had you seen the show before you joined the cast as Robert?

I actually hadn’t. Always planned to but it never happened. Shame on me. But having said that, it did help me develop and build my own take on Robert, with a completely blank canvas and offer up what came organically. Also, I watched the previous cast about halfway through rehearsals and I was blown away despite knowing what to expect.

With a show like The Play That Goes Wrong, we imagine that a lot of precision is required to create the chaos that unfolds. Could you please tell us about this?

This is very true. I cannot stress enough how brilliant our directors Sean Turner and Amy Milburn were at taking us through the rehearsal process so methodically and patiently. Being afforded the time to build up the confidence with the detail of comic book timing with both the text and slapstick was the key to marrying all that’s required to stay as safe as possible, while hopefully delivering a performance that feels natural, funny and believably frightening for the audience.

What is the rehearsal process like for The Play That Goes Wrong?

Fitness building, team bonding, rehearsing the “The Play That Goes Right” meaning full rehearsals of the murder at Haversham Manor as it was intended to go in order for us as a cast to be a precise and sure of the moments that do go wrong. All of that and a whole lot of laughter

If you could play any other character in The Play That Goes Wrong, who would you choose and why?

That’s a hard one to answer because I genuinely love every character but I’d probably lean towards Trevor because every single moment he has is just so fantastically awkward.

The Play That Goes Wrong is currently booking until April 2024 at London’s Duchess Theatre, with tickets available here.