It’s hard not to have high expectations when you hear that Mischief is behind a new comedy. While they have built a reputation for brilliantly chaotic productions, packed with slapstick comedy and laugh-out-loud moments, Thespians was their first musical, so I was excited to see what it had to offer.
Even the tag line is clever – ‘Greece the Musical (But not that one), which sets the tone for what the audience should expect. Set in Ancient Greece, Thespians imagines the origins of acting itself. It’s a fun concept, which is very similar to Something Rotten! (a show that also happens to be in Manchester on the same dates). While Something Rotten! imagines the world’s first musical during Shakespeare’s era, Thespians explores the birth of theatre through the world’s first actor.
One thing I never questioned throughout the evening was the commitment of the cast. Every performer completely embraces the silliness of the show, and that enthusiasm is infectious.
Allie Dart as Rhapsodes and Matt Cavendish as Bard are fantastic, helping to guide the audience through the story while keeping the energy high.
The biggest standout for me, though, was Marc Pickering as Adonis. This was a flawless casting decision. Every time he walked on stage, I knew something ridiculous was about to happen. His regional accent, wonderfully bizarre character, and perfectly timed delivery had me in tears of laughter more than once. Comedy is always subjective, but for me, he completely stole the show.
Clever ideas that could go even further
The costumes are great, and the staging makes excellent use of HOME Manchester’s intimate space. It’s simple without ever feeling empty, and the set is used creatively throughout.
The music is enjoyable too, although I did feel the opening number and some of the earlier songs needed a little more energy. Those slower moments interrupt the momentum slightly, especially during the first half, just when the comedy is beginning to build.
One thing I kept thinking throughout was how well the show’s themes could have been reflected in the production itself. There’s an ongoing theme about teamwork, with lines like “there’s no ‘I’ in acting” and “there’s no ‘I’ in island,” reinforcing the idea that theatre is about working together. Ironically, those jokes made me wish the production had embraced that idea even further. While the smaller cast works well in HOME, I couldn’t help thinking that a larger ensemble would have made some of the musical numbers and bigger comedy moments feel even more spectacular.
There were also a handful of jokes that rely on knowledge of Ancient Greece. Some landed brilliantly, while others felt like they might pass people by if they weren’t familiar with the references.
A second half that really finds its feet
The second half is where Thespians really came alive for me.
The pacing feels sharper, the jokes become more consistent, and the audience around me seemed to be laughing far more regularly. There were scenes where I was crying with laughter, and those moments showed exactly what this production is capable of.
That’s potentially why the slower moments stood out more. Sometimes the writing is incredibly clever and captures the slapstick style Mischief is famous for. Other times it feels a little uneven, with a few jokes or scenes that don’t land quite as strongly. It never stopped me enjoying the show, but it did leave me thinking there was another level it could reach.
Final thoughts
Thespians is a silly, feel-good night at the theatre with a cast that gives absolutely everything to the material. The concept is clever, the production looks great, and when the comedy lands, it really lands.
Would I travel across the country to see it in its current form? Probably not. But would I happily watch it again to see how it develops? Absolutely.
There’s something really promising here, and with a little more energy in places and a tighter pace, I can easily imagine this becoming a show people are talking about. It’s already an enjoyable evening out, and I’m genuinely interested to see where it goes next.
Thespians is running at the Home Manchester until 18 July. Book your tickets now.Â
**Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
