Retelling a chapter in #Stuart history that has more plot twists than a #Shakespearean drama, @laughingmirror’s “Guy Fawkes It Up!” is an energetic, brilliantly paced #farce that playfully delves into what possibly (though definitely didn’t) happened in between the pages of British history books…📖

This delightfully cheeky comedy transports us to the 1605 #GunpowderPlot. The story goes that a group of Catholics hatch a plan to give Parliament a blast during its state opening. Their goal? To kill the King & every Lord in the building💣💥🤯 Enter Guy Fawkes, who manages to completely “fawke up” their elaborate scheme…

Chad Porter & James Darby’s quick-witted script & fast-paced direction are a testament to Laughing Mirror’s years of honing their comedic timing & moment-to-moment skills since “Guy Fawkes It Up!” debuted in 2017👏 Harrison Cole dazzles as an egotistical #Fawkes, also doubling as the equally hilarious & bigheaded Detective Sebastian Bladeworthy🧐 Seb Fear is perfectly cast as a fragile King James, with Hattie Manton serving as the perfect counterpart: Queen Anne👑 Jess Cuthbert, Ellie Church, and Daniel Hemsley round out the cast with a never-ending rolodex of colourful characters that may or may not have existed…😎

While the cast’s performances are strong & skilled, some overly repetitive, ham-y callbacks might make the audience cringe. There’s only so much one can take when it comes to jests about King James possibly getting “blown (😜) to smithereens (😖)”, and plenty of moments have us wondering if the cast is trying too hard to “get the laugh.” Granted: Laughing Mirror’s style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and its focus on satirical comedy reminiscent of the 70s—think #MontyPython & #Airplane—may come across as a tad old-fashioned to some…

Still, Laughing Mirror brings an infectious energy to “Guy Fawkes It Up!” that undoubtedly captivates audiences of all ages. Its absurdist take on the Gunpowder Plot injects a refreshing & unexpected edge to these well-known historical figures, offering a unique perspective that history books simply can’t deliver. 3/5⭐

#comedy #expectfireworks