T Eventually, Mitch and Cooper get separated from the rest of the team, and find themselves directly over the vault. Once they leave, Ruth takes the diamond from the dead Mitch, handcuffs Randall to Caprice's bed, and spills a trail of liquor onto the ground. I guess the major change for me, is the age of the character that I’m playing. There is no hidden agenda with Warren – what you see is what you get. With the assistance of Cooper, the prison security guard, (Samson Ajewole) and Ruth Monaghan, a con-woman, (Jenna Augen) the group tackles several … Honestly, apart from the fact that it was a comedy about a bank robbery, I had no clue what it was about. ", "The Comedy About a Bank Robbery begins in March", "Play That Goes Wrong team launches new West End show", https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/quite-simply-this-is-the-funniest-show-in-the-west-end/, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Comedy_About_a_Bank_Robbery&oldid=969283928, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 24 July 2020, at 14:00. The two crooks rope Sam and Caprice into joining them, mainly because the former can pose as Mr. Freeboys, and the latter as Prince Ludwig's attaché. Firstly, I think they’re tremendously courageous. This proves tough, as the bank is victim to more crimes than any other bank in the state (in fact, Mr. Freeboys' car and furniture are stolen by robbers who were mistaken as bank staff). She then warns Randall to be careful who he trusts, before holding up a lighter and giving one last remark: "It's like I always say; everyone in this town's a crook. The adaptation was translated by Alexandra Kozyreva. The production, written by Mischief Theatre's Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, follows an anarchic attempt to rob a bank in Minneapolis, with a slapstick twist. As I said, I’ve always longed to play Bill Snibson in. The play also opened at the Théâtre Le Palace in Paris from 19 July 2018. Luckily, Ruth Monaghan, a teller at the bank (who always says "everyone in this town's a crook"), persuades bureau officer Randall Shuck to allow the bank to store the diamond, much to his superiors' anger. Sadly, I don’t get to play much nowadays but I played all three to a good standard as a kid. Once inside the vault, the team is able to access the casing containing the diamond, but Mr. Freeboys (who was planning on stealing the diamond himself to cause a stir in the newspapers) walks in on them, forcing Mitch to shoot him and Prince Ludwig (who was hoping to resolve the situation). Director: Sidney Lumet | Stars: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar. Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted with a priceless diamond. The play is set in the late ’50s in Minneapolis. My first show was. The Comedy about a Bank Robbery stole its last diamond on 15th March 2020 at the Criterion Theatre, London. The packed auditorium gives some indication of the anticipation for this latest stage show from Mischief Theatre – the company who created the smash hit, The Play That Goes Wrong.. I play Warren Slax. Things get more complicated when a Rain Man like character is stuck inside and believes that there is … Summer 1958. The Comedy about a Bank Robbery tells the story of escaped prisoner Mitch Ruscuitti (Matt Hunt) planning to rob the Minnesota City Bank with the help of his prison officer accomplice (Samson Ajewole), flirty girlfriend Caprice (Holly Sumpton, making her professional debut), and a local petty thief Sam Monaghan (Sam Fogell). After a more eye rolling exchange, the action kicks off with a car chase … with laundry baskets. We must continue to celebrate this and support theatre makers both in London and the rest of the country. As they crawl past the back office, they're forced to knock out and bring along intern Warren Slax as he attempts to check the vents. Unfortunately, the vent below Cooper buckles, and Mitch, having no further use for Cooper, shoves him into the still-running fan below, killing him. There is so much variety and choice – something for everyone seven days a week. Once Sam and Caprice arrive, Mitch convinces them that he tried to save Cooper, and they continue with the heist. Well, I have to be honest and admit that I’d never seen a Mischief show prior to auditioning for ‘TCAABR’ but I was familiar with the company and I had a sense of the style of work that they create. The central plot is made clear at the start of the first act, with main character Mitch Ruscitti’s (Gareth Tempest) intention to rob Minneapolis City Bank, which houses a priceless diamond. Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted with a priceless diamond. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is the third production from Mischief Theatre following on from the award winning, The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Photo: Darren Bell. On 3 December 2015, it was announced the play would begin previews at the West End's Criterion Theatre on 31 March 2016,[1] with its official opening night on 21 April 2016. The comedy opened at the Criterion Theatre on 21 April 2016, following previews from 31 March. ", The show received five star reviews from many leading critics including The Telegraph, The Times, Radio Times, Sunday Telegraph and WhatsOnStage. The Play is the play I hold all comedies too. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery by Mischief Theatre, complete with a range of Doo-Wop classic hits and quick-witted comic moments is just the tonic that everyone needs. Convict Mitch Ruscitti, currently imprisoned at the British Columbia Penitentiary, hatches an escape plan with Neil Cooper, one of the guards, with the intent of traveling to Minneapolis to steal a diamond worth half a million dollars. I suppose one of the main differences is that the majority of the work I’ve done previously has very much been text driven. Absolutely anybody, aged 8 – 80 could come along to a Mischief show and have a great time. Equally, being out of work doesn’t make you a terrible actor. “for anyone and everyone looking for a short pick-me-up”. As of 8 February 2017 the cast will include Jeremy Lloyd (Everyone Else), who continues in the … If I were to describe it now, I’d say that it was a show full of … [3] The play received nomination for Best New Comedy at the 2017 Olivier Awards. The year is 1958. The worst thing is definitely the cost. Three amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. The language is simple and is usually punctuated with physical action so it never risks being overly intellectual and not understood. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does. I’ve seen many great pieces of theatre, particularly in the last few years. Mischief Theatre’s smash-and-grab hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is a fast, fabulous comedy caper and the funniest show in the West End! Votes: 236,991 | Gross: $50.00M Mischief Theatre’s slapstick play 'The Comedy About A Bank Robbery' returns for its fourth year at the Criterion Theatre. The two of them make it to Caprice's apartment, where she attempts to patch up Sam's shoulder. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is a diamond heist set in Minneapolis, ... your character? Also, she’s a wonderful, loving mama bear who is just trying her very best to protect her son under difficult circumstances. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. This West-end hit is fast and hilarious and one that takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions. Photograph: Tristram Kenton/The Guardian Criterion, London This thrillingly inventive piece about bed-hopping gem thieves is … Chris Leask in Mischief Theatre’s The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. The production was scheduled to close in May 2020, however due to the COVID-19 crisis it played its final performance on 15th March 2020. The hi-tech wizard robberies go for the vault and the redneck hick robbers go for the ATM machines. A Russian adaptation of the play titled Комедия о том, как банк грабили (translated directly from the English title) opened at MDM Theatre in Moscow on 5 October 2019. It’s when two of our main characters start getting it on that I started laughing inappropriately and … She’s a fighter. I knew that my casting was due to change soon but I didn’t expect to go from 16 to 60 without playing all the years in between! I adored, My Mum was a member of the local amateur dramatic society and I got involved when they needed kids. Dates are currently scheduled until May 2019. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery – My Verdict September 6, 2017 ~ Lauren It’s a comfort for theatre bloggers to be able to start off a little piece of writing by introducing the show with character introductions and a basic storyline. During the play we learn that he is having money problems and suffering from memory loss. The comedy About a Bank robbery continues until … ‘The Comedy About a Bank Robbery’ by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields is at the Congress Theatre until Saturday 20th April. We have to be very careful not to price working class actors out of a career in the arts. It is a farcical take on the 1950s Hollywood bank robbery movies and brings together a motley crew of characters out in Minneapolis trying to steal a Hungarian Prince’s diamond stored in a bank. Act I has built to a searing, chaotic comedy crescendo as hapless bank robber Mitch (Henry Shields) attempts to seduce his wily girlfriend Candice (Charlie Russell) whilst likeable conman Sam (Dave Hearn) tries in vain to escape the bedroom. The new cast members shine while the veterans have the comedy locked down to perfection. I’m a redhead – so the sun is not my friend. I have a list! I’ve spent a lot of my career playing characters who are significantly younger than I am, so it makes a change to be adding wrinkles rather than trying to cover them up. I’ve done a lot of comedy alongside the more serious stuff and I’m very used to working as part of an ensemble. Oh, just one? I’ve always been full of admiration for all that they’ve achieved, so when my agent called I jumped at the chance to come in and audition. It is currently booking to 29 October 2017. Don’t expect wobbly sets or deliberate bad acting this comedy play written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields delivers a well-oiled modern take on farce that out-does Fawlty Towers or any of the classic French farces! Breaking into its 3rd year, Mischief Theatre's smash-and-grab hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is a fast, fabulous comedy caper and the funniest show in the West End. Convict Mitch Ruscitti, currently imprisoned at the British Columbia Penitentiary, hatches an escape plan with Neil Cooper, one of the guards, with the intent of traveling to Minneapolis to steal a diamond worth half a million dollars. I also think it’s really important to maintain a sense of perspective about your own ability. At Ruth's persuasion, he misdirects the police, patches up Sam's wound, and gives him and Caprice his car to cross over into Ontario and lie low (it's a good thing Caprice knows someone there). Mischief Theatre's Olivier Award nominated West End smash hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery today announces the full cast for its 2018/19 UK tour, which opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 23 August.The touring cast includes Seán Carey, David Coomber, Julia Frith, George Hannigan, Liam Jeavons, Damian Lynch, Killian Macardle, Yolanda Ovide and Jon Trenchard, with understudies … She’s quick on her toes and nothing -absolutely nothing- gets by her. [2] The play is directed by Mark Bell, with design by David Farley and costume design by Roberto Surace. Mischief shows (as I’m learning very quickly) are incredibly physical so there is an entire physical language which runs alongside the text and the story is told using both. The farce’s heart belongs to Sam and Caprice, whose relationship is supported by the actor’s easy intimacy and their sweet, hilarious courtship – you will never look at Casablanca in quite the same way. Two separate bank robberies go down at the same time, at the same bank. The best thing about London is the theatre. There are a few things. Criterion Theatre – booking until November 2018, Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Hung Parliament ★★★★, Snow White in the Seven Months of Lockdown ★★★★, Unlimited: The Songs Of Stephen Schwartz ★★★★, The Legend of Moby Dick Whittington ★★★★★, Ute Lemper: Rendezvous With Marlene ★★★★★, Esther Mackay – Artistic Director The UnDisposables – Isolation Interview, Benji and Elliot – The Bohemians Theatre Company – Isolation Interview, Martin Malcolm – Playwright – Isolation Interview, Matthew Jameson – Deputy Director at The Space – Isolation Interview, Domenico Lopresti – Performer Producer – Isolation Interview, Maryhee Yoon – Actor Writer Director – Isolation Interview, James Ringer-Beck – Actor Composer – Isolation Interview, Leading Light – Theatre Collective – Isolation Interview, Emma Jenkin – Actress – Isolation Interview, Lucie Shorthouse – Actor – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Mark Inscoe – Actor – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Linus Karp – Actor – Awkward Conversations, Peter McGovern – Actor – The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, Dan Gillespie Sells – Musician / Writer – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery – 5 Stars. Describe the character that you’re about to take on in The Comedy About a Bank Robbery? It opened at the Criterion Theatre in 2016 and has just celebrated its second birthday. Click here to see more of our latest reviews on, With a brand new cast taking over at The Comedy About a Bank Robbery from 27th February, we talk to the new Warren Slax. He is an ‘eternally unfortunate man of 67 years old’ who is employed as a bank clerk at Minneapolis City Bank where most of the play is set. Before they leave for the night, however, Mitch privately tells Caprice that he's not cutting Sam in, noting "as soon as we got the diamond, Sam’s dead.”. I don’t actually think it’s that much of a departure for me though. The adaptation was translated by Miren Pradier and Gwen Aduh (who also directed) and won the Molière Award for Best Comedy 2018. In our current sociopolitical climate whereby each week we are inundated with news stories that project uncertainty about our future, it seems necessary now more than ever for the theatre to take a break from its societal projection and instead provide some escapism. Unfortunately, due to Cooper's big mouth, word gets out about the plan, and the whole prison wants to join the heist. The year is 1958. A French adaptation of the play titled Le Gros Diamant du Prince Ludwig (translated as The Big Diamond of Prince Ludwig) opened at Theatre du Gymnase in Paris from 15 June to 31 August 2017. My claim to fame is that I once scored a try at Twickenham. While at her apartment, however, Mitch and Cooper arrive with the tools needed to pull off the bank heist (including ventilation blueprints and an electric drill), along with the codes for the diamond case. I do like to keep fit though, in fact it’s essential for this particular play so I’m most likely to be found running or taking spin classes at Psycle London. It’s so important that acting doesn’t become a career exclusively for those with the financial support to stick out the periods between jobs. It’s absolutely criminal. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery today announces an extension of its Olivier Award-nominated show to run until Sunday 3 May 2020, as it celebrates its third birthday in the West End. A Comedy About A Bank Robbery arrives at The Lowry on the second stop of 24, in the show’s first UK tour that runs til June 2019. Bank Robbery has a slow start. Just because you’re in work that doesn’t make you a genius. Before Mitch can kill either of them, however, Warren falls out of the vent and lands on Mitch, allowing Sam and Caprice to escape. I have seriously considered moving away from London on several occasions. Unlike those plays, its humour does not come from mistakes in making the play, but it uses the theatre for comedy in other ways. The play premiered at the Criterion Theatre in London's West End on 31 March 2016, with an official opening night on 21 April 2016, marking the third production by Mischief Theatre to open in the West End following The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong (with all three running simultaneously during the Christmas 2016 season). Dominic Cavendish from The Telegraph said[4] "Quite simply, this is the funniest show in the West End", "You keep thinking this is as good as it gets - then it gets better". https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/the-comedy-about-a-bank-robbery The Comedy About a Bank Robbery by Mischief Theatre. Mischief Theatre’s smash-and-grab hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is a fast, fabulous comedy caper and the funniest show in the West End! What a question. I’d agree with that and would add that they also need to take the work seriously but not themselves. With the diamond in hand, Mitch tells Caprice to shoot Sam, but she refuses out of love for Sam; Mitch responds by shooting Caprice, but Sam dives in front of her and takes the bullet in his shoulder. Summer 1958. Over the next few days, Caprice Freeboys, Mr. Freeboys' daughter and Mitch's ex, starts dating Sam Monaghan, Ruth's son and a pickpocket, in the hopes of sweet-talking some money out of him (the money she currently gets from her father and other 3 suitors will barely cover her rent). I think you need to make sure it’s all about the work. In Minneapolis, 1958, a priceless diamond belonging to the Crown Jewels of Hungary has been deposited for safe keeping in the City … Halfway through The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, I am laughing so much I have to take a moment to recompose. I’d seen it once before in 2017, before starting this blog, so a revisit seemed timely. The Times declared the production "Fast and fabulous comedy caper is a joyful night out. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is a comedy play written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre. He is totally devoted to his boss, Mr Freeboys, for whom he has worked tirelessly for thirty years, without complaint or promotion. Mitch and Cooper are able to escape, however, and they drive down to the Twin Cities to find the diamond. Breaking into its 3rd year, Mischief Theatre's smash-and-grab hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is a fast, fabulous comedy caper and the funniest show in the West End. Unlike many of the other characters in the play he is an innocent. I’ve been acting almost ten years now, and I’ve been lucky enough to work more often than not – but if I hadn’t, I doubt I would still be acting today as I simply wouldn’t have been able to afford to live in London as an unemployed actor. The social media generation often seem more concerned with getting verified on twitter or bagging themselves another hundred Instagram followers than they are with learning their craft and developing as artists. Secondly, I think that the Mischief brand of humour is wonderfully inclusive. Meanwhile, at the Minneapolis City Bank, manager Robin Freeboys oversees preparations to ensure the bank is secure enough to store the diamond in question, owned by Prince Ludwig of Hungary. Unlike many of the other characters in the play he is an innocent. A Comedy About a Bank Robbery first went on stage in 2016 and has now been on tour across the country since August 2018. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is a caper play from Mischief Theatre, the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Laura Sexton speaks to Chris Leask about making people laugh, playing multiple characters and why audiences will love The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. Henry Shileds and Charlie Russell in The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is the group’s second West End show. A city break is a far safer option. I’m a big sports fan – football, cricket and rugby union are my main loves – in that order. Mitch and Cooper are able to escape, however, and they drive down to the Twin Cities to find the diamond. Always try and retain your sense of humour, keep the joy and remember why you wanted to be an actor in the first place. We do it better here than anywhere else in the world and we should be proud of that. No question. I’ve heard it said that actors require a skin that’s thin enough to do the work but thick enough to do the job. I play Warren Slax. Some of the stunts and set pieces in ‘TCAABR’ are incredibly daring and ambitious and so I think that part of the audience enjoyment comes out of them recognising the audacity of the stunt and enjoying the brilliance of its execution. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery which is running at Newcastle Theatre Royal (Image: Theatre Royal PR). It has a depth that breaks out of the mould of the comedy genre but holds up the comedic frameworks. There's a love story in there too, when … Unfortunately, due to Cooper's big mouth, word gets out about the plan, and the whole prison wants to join the heist. I’m also a firm believer in the transformative powers of a hot shower and a Berocca just before the half. On the night of the heist, things don't go according to plan (Cooper initially sedates Sam instead of Mr. Freeboys, for one), but the team is able to shut down the AC and access the air ducts. About to enter its second year in the West End, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery shows no signs of slowing down as it unveils its crack new criminal cast ready to steal the show. He is an ‘eternally unfortunate man of 67 years old’ who is employed as a bank clerk at Minneapolis City Bank where most of the play is set. Created by the makers of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, this play is all about, you guessed it right, a comedy about a bank robbery! Before she can get started, though, Mitch catches up to them and attempts to shoot Caprice, but Randall shoots him first. The next several days pass with the bank finishing preparations, Ruth and Randall dating, the heist team going over their plan, and Sam asking Ruth for relationship advice. Quite what keeps him there is anyone’s guess; but it may have something to do with his secret and unrequited love for Freeboy’s daughter, Caprice. Bank robbery movies List of the best movies about bank robbery according to visitors: Den of Thieves, The Highwaymen, 211, The Last Heist, At the End of the Tunnel, First Kill, Billion, The Vault, Reprisal, Chongqing Hot Pot In the top there are new films of 2020, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery celebrates its second birthday amidst a tsunami of laughter. It sounds terribly dull but all the boring things: lots of water, plenty of sleep and a proper warm up. The play began a UK tour from August 2018 at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.