The idea of a production intentionally being so bad it is brilliant is well-trodden terrain, but that is no reason why it cannot be revisited. The Play That Goes Wrong is currently bringing pratfalls and fluffed cues to the West End and this mocky horror show, adding cringeworthy songs and power-crazed divas to the vampire legend, is equally enjoyable.
Hyperactive Mr Swallow, played by Nick Mohammed, is the deluded star of the fictitious musical, playing Dracula and behaving like a tinpot tyrant. The fourth wall is demolished with comical regularity as Swallow repeatedly reworks the script, at one point appearing as a scene-stealing customs officer with a Scouse accent thicker than tar. Some of the gags are hardly original but they are executed with such shameless glee it would be churlish not to chuckle. How can one possibly dislike a Dracula who enters on roller skates?
Enthusiastic support comes from David Elms, Joanna Grace and particularly Kieran Hodgson as Jonathan Harker, who would make a serviceable David Tennant if the ex-Time Lord required a body double.
Until March 7 (020 7478 0100, sohotheatre.com)
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