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Accessibility Review of Mischief’s ‘Thespians’

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Hi everyone and welcome to another review!

This time I got the chance to go and review ‘Thespians’, written by Mischief’s Jonathan Sayer (‘The Play That Goes Wrong!’, ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ and ‘A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong’), with music and lyrics by Ed Zanders.

Set in 534 BC in ancient Greece on a small island with a tiny community of five, nothing ever happens… until one day it does! Thespians, his sister Poly, Adonis — the head of the guard — and the elders are forced to travel to Atlantis for a deadly prayer competition. But suddenly, everything begins to change.

Going into this show, I had medium expectations as this was from the same company behind ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, as well as their popular TV shows. So when I got invited to this by Mercury Theatre, I was very interested to see what they would do with a musical comedy.

A colorful stage musical scene with actors dressed in ancient Greek-style costumes. In the center, a young light-skinned man with short blond hair stands on a round marble-patterned platform. He wears a white sleeveless tunic with a deep V-neck, gold trim, and a wide brown and gold belt. His arms are raised enthusiastically, mouth open in mid-song or shout, and he wears brown sandals and gold wrist bracers. On his left and right are two light-skinned performers in matching costumes: pink sleeveless jumpsuits with split skirts, gold belts, metallic gold shoulder pieces, dark purple capes, and bronze-style helmets with crests. Each holds a tall spear upright. The performer on the left poses with one arm extended and knees bent in a dance stance. The one on the right has an animated expression, mouth open, with the spear angled slightly forward. Behind them, slightly to the right, stands a person with short dark hair, glasses, and medium skin tone wearing a bronze muscle armor chest plate, red knee-length skirt panels, and an orange cape, watching the central trio. Further right is a woman with medium-brown skin and curly shoulder-length hair, dressed in a light blue, flowing, off-the-shoulder gown with layered ruffles. A bow is in her hand and a quiver of arrows hangs at her side. The set is designed like a marble Greek temple, with pale blue and pink marbled columns, arches, and a balcony rail across the back. The floor has an ornate circular design in blues and golds with stylized patterns. The background lighting is purple, giving the scene a fantastical, mythological atmosphere.

From the very start of the show, I could tell it was going to be a little tricky visually, as most of the cast’s costumes — aside from Adonis and ‘The Tyrant’ — were very similar in colour to the set. Thankfully, the lighting helped with this to a degree, but it is definitely something to consider. The same also applies to some of the moving set pieces.

With this also being a musical, I first need to say that the singing performances from everyone were phenomenal, as were the songs themselves. However, after the show I did feel that I could have done with a little more story and slightly fewer songs, as there were moments where multiple musical numbers happened one after another. They were great songs, but I personally wanted a bit more time for the story to breathe between them.

I loved the entire cast! Marc Pickering (Adonis) delivered an exciting comedy performance, and I definitely got my fix of classic Mischief humour. Claire-Marie Hall (Poly) had an excellent singing voice, and honestly I would have loved one more solo from her alongside the one she already has in the show. I also really enjoyed Rhys Taylor as ‘The Tyrant’. Their performance and comedy style reminded me a lot of Anthony Stuart-Hicks. But genuinely, the whole cast were outstanding.

Colorful stage performance with four actors standing on marble-like platforms. They are in mid-pose with arms raised, as if celebrating or singing. All four wear matching blue tunic-style costumes tied with light-colored rope belts, and theatrical half-masks with exaggerated noses and expressions, reminiscent of ancient Greek comedy masks. The center actor’s tunic is shorter, showing bare legs with sandals; the others wear longer, robe-length tunics. Behind them is a large curtain painted with a night sky: deep blue background, clouds, yellow stars, and a crescent moon framed by draped blue “fabric” along the top. On both sides of the stage are cream-colored stone-like columns and arches suggesting an ancient Greek temple or theater. Tall vertical banners hang on each side, reddish-orange with the words “THE DIONYSIA” written vertically. Warm stage lighting from above creates a golden glow on the actors and platforms, with some purple and blue light on the backdrop. At the very bottom edge, the tops of a few audience members’ heads are just visible, facing the stage.

So onto the accessibility ratings:

If you have limited to no vision:
I would say that, because there is limited physical comedy, you will likely have a lot of fun with this show. There is also a Touch Tour and an Audio Described performance on Saturday 23rd May, which is a fantastic addition and really helps give a fuller understanding of the show as a whole. However, if you cannot get tickets for the audio described performance, I still think you would have a wonderful time, and I would highly recommend this show.

If you have limited to useful vision:
As mentioned before, the colour palette of the show is made up of very pale tones, which may make parts of the production difficult visually. I would recommend sitting in Row C or closer if possible, to help get the best view of the action and facial expressions.

‘Thespians’ is running at Mercury Theatre from Saturday 9th until 23rd May 2026!

If you love anything that Mischief has done in the past, then you will absolutely love this too. It’s a great night out, full of laughs and plenty of comedy chaos! You can find information and tickets on the Mercury Theatre website.

Until next time,
The VI Critic.

Accessibility Review of Tassa Deparis’s ‘Swallow The Lake’

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Hi everyone, and welcome back to another review!

I was kindly invited to the Mercury Theatre to see their new Original production, Swallow The Lake — a heartfelt and thought-provoking piece that stayed with me long after the curtain fell.

The story follows Joanna, a young woman who’s spent much of her life abroad due to her father’s career as an army chef. Constantly on the move, she’s never truly had a place to call home. We watch her journey unfold from a curious child to a grown woman searching for belonging — but the question lingers: has she really found happiness?

Written by Tassa Deparis, Swallow The Lake is a touching exploration of childhood innocence, growing pains, and self-discovery. It delves into family tensions, teenage friendships, and the heartbreaks that shape who we become — themes that almost anyone can relate to.

A woman sits barefoot on the edge of a wooden table, surrounded by tall golden reeds that fill the background. She has long curly dark hair and a warm, joyful expression, looking slightly upwards with a soft smile. She’s wearing a loose, cream-coloured blouse with full sleeves and light beige trousers. The lighting is gentle and warm, giving the scene an autumnal, golden glow. The overall feeling is calm, intimate, and slightly nostalgic — as if she’s lost in a happy memory or daydream.

The production takes place in the Mercury Studio, an intimate venue that brings the audience remarkably close to the action. It’s a setting that allows for a real emotional connection between performers and audience members — though, as I discovered, it’s not the most generous when it comes to legroom! Still, the closeness makes the experience all the more immersive and, for many, more accessible.

Lydia Bakeelmun gives a standout performance, showcasing remarkable range and emotional depth. Her portrayal of Joanna is both tender and powerful — by the end, I genuinely felt for her. Matthew Jewson delivers an equally strong performance opposite her, and together they bring a wonderful authenticity to their characters. Watching them transform seamlessly from childhood to adulthood was truly captivating.

Supporting them, Liam Bull and Krupa Pattani shine in multiple roles throughout the show. Both demonstrate an impressive versatility, shifting between characters with ease. It’s a skill that’s much harder than it looks, yet they make it appear effortless.

A man crouches on top of the same wooden table, holding a long stick in his hands and leaning slightly forward as if pretending to draw in the sand or poke at something on the ground. He has short hair and a thoughtful, focused expression, with a hint of curiosity or playfulness. He’s wearing a short-sleeved blue T-shirt and beige shorts. Behind him, the same tall golden reeds create a natural, rustic backdrop, softly lit in warm tones. The lighting feels gentle and earthy, suggesting an outdoor or beach-like setting.

The staging is simple but beautifully effective. Tall beach grass borders parts of the stage, while soft, semi-transparent curtains — gently lit from behind — help define each new scene. A few benches, chairs, and a table are all that’s needed to bring the world to life, letting the performances take centre stage.

Most of the show is dialogue-driven, with minimal physical action or bright lighting. The atmosphere remains soft and natural throughout — calm, reflective, and intimate. However, I was disappointed to find there was no touch tour or audio description available. While some may argue that this production doesn’t strictly require audio description, I believe access options should always be available for those who need them. Even a short touch tour to explore the set and costumes would have been a welcome addition.

For those with useful vision, you can choose how close you sit without worrying about harsh lighting or sudden flashes. If you have little or no vision, the show is still easy to follow thanks to its strong script and clear dialogue. A few small visual moments — like someone pretending to chase chickens or draw in the sand — might be missed, but they don’t detract from the overall experience.

Overall, Swallow The Lake is a must-see for its outstanding performances and emotionally resonant storytelling.It’s an intimate, beautifully acted piece that captures the highs and lows of growing up and finding your place in the world.

Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis runs at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, from 8th to 11th October 2025. For more details and ticket information, visit the Mercury Theatre’s website which you can find by clicking here!

Until next time,
The VI Critic

A striking underwater image featuring a young woman submerged in clear blue water. Her eyes are closed, and she appears calm and peaceful, with small air bubbles surrounding her face. Her curly dark hair floats gently around her head, fanning out in soft waves. She holds her hands delicately near her face, fingertips touching her cheeks and chin, as if caught in a moment of stillness or reflection. The water gives her skin a smooth, glowing look, and the light filters down in a serene, dreamlike way. To the left of the image, in large pale cream-coloured text, are the words: “SWALLOW THE LAKE” and beneath in smaller text: “BY TASSA DEPARIS.”