I know Iβm probs not the only one to have mentioned it, but I think a large part of Mischief Theatreβs appeal is that their comedic stuff is just some real good escapism, but like in a good healthy way, yaβknow what I mean?
Donβt get me wrong, I like me some pieces of media talking about REAL ISSUES happening/occurring in THE REAL WORLD and all that. And ofc, we canβt always and soley use escapism all the time to escape life and all, like at some point you just gotta face lifeβs shitty problems and stuff, and even if you canβt thereβs better and healthier coping mechanisms to do so, if that makes sense? Ofc it depends on the type of escapism in question, and ofc it will vary depending on the person and such.
(idk if Iβm making sense here or if Iβm rambling lol π
, but hope you get what Iβm saying!)
However, I do feel like, when life gets too complicated and depressing in all regards, I feel like a bit of escapism is needed, cuz we all need a bit of a laugh after a quite frankly depressing or stressful day, or if smth tragic happened in your life and you need some comfort at the moment to cheer you up and such, or smth like that
Thatβs when Mischief comes in! Their type of slapstick, music hall-esque farcical comedy is like a nice comforting treat after a quite stressful day. Itβs soothing and relaxing and satisfying and all the more fun too! Their comedic work is just very very comforting and nice, whilst also being very hilarious at it too
Idk how to describe it exactly, but their work, I-Itβs justβ¦.VERY NICE AHHH <333
Idk I started thinking about this after reading an article (which is this one to be exact) a while ago where Henry S. & Henry L. talked about βThe Comedy About Spiesβ from March 2025, and it in it they mentioned that they wrote and developed the script (in which the play is set in the early 60s during the Cold War) 5 years before Russiaβs invasion of Ukraine, and specifically this passage:
Shields emphasises that the play is set in Soviet-era Russia when the geopolitical map was very different: βIβm sure audiences will appreciate that weβre not trying to pass any kind of commentary on the current situation.β
Now, Iβm not suggesting that Henry S. is suggesting that βoh audiences donβt care about current political eventsβ, I donβt think thatβs what he meant here. I think he just meant that audiences are very much well aware of the fact that the show is clearly set in the past, and that it would be kinda weird if the play (which is a comedic farce after all) were to suddenly go from telling a lighthearted silly joke to suddenly talk in complete seriousness about, idk, the horrors of nuclear warfare and people dying in horrifically detailed, tragic ways and stuff, and then just never acknowledging it ever again. It just would be very jarring tonally and a bit of a mood-killer in all honesty, plus it could be a bit insensitive if not handled properly, if that makes sense? (Not to say the play doesnβt handle emotionally sad moments, it does do that in regards to one of the characters (especially their backstory), but in a way that fits the tone of the show and isnβt completely jarring, yaβknow what I mean?)
Idk just some thoughts Iβve been having lately
do let me know your thoughts on this! Iβd love to hear them!!
