St. Mother Teresa presented a ‘brilliantly executed’ production of The Play That Goes Wrong

Published May 17, 2025

Last updated May 17, 2025

11 minute read

Cornley Drama Society Stage Crew; Parsa Tahavari (L), Faith Mckenzie (2ndFL), Sandra played by Charlie Nowak Bella (M), Annie played by Liza Kononenko (M), Cornley Drama Society Stage Crew; Amelia Kinahan (2ndFR) and Claire Raymond (R), during St. Mother Teresa High School Cappies production of The Play That Goes Wrong, on April 16th 2025, in Ottawa Ontario. Photo by Summer Denault-Franey /StudentArticle content

Show #18 St. Mother Teresa High School

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The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition)

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Director: Lindsay Laviolette

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Stevie Angus, Critic
Immaculata High School

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What do you get when you mix a murder mystery, an amateur theatre troupe, and a catastrophic string of on-stage mix-ups? Pure comedic chaos, and St. Mother Teresa High School’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) delivered it in the most hilariously disastrous way possible.

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Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition), is a fast-paced comedy that follows the Cornley Drama Society, a determined but inexperienced theatre troupe as they attempt to stage the murder mystery called The Murder At Haversham Manor. From the moment the curtain rises things begin to fall apart. Forgotten lines, misplaced props, and broken set pieces are just the beginning as the actors try to keep the show on track. Despite non-stop disasters, the cast and crew power through, making this play an excellent tribute to the unpredictability of live theatre.

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St. Mother Teresa High School’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) was a brilliantly executed comedy of errors, where every mishap was excellently timed and every gag hit its mark. From the detailed, cleverly rigged set to the sharp physical comedy, the show was an amazing blend of technical precision and performance. The cast and crew pulled off this controlled chaos with confidence, delivering a production that was as impressive as it was funny.

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Perkins played by Annika Vronsky (F), Charles Haversham played by Vinny McMillan (2ndFL), Inspector Carter played by Olivia Monsour (2ndFR) and Mary Colleymoore (R) played by Sophia Constantinesco, during St. Mother Teresa High School Cappies production of The Play That Goes Wrong. Photo by Summer Denault-Franey /StudentArticle content

All eyes were on Alexander James as Max, portraying the roles of Cecil Haversham and Arthur the Gardener. As Cecil, James radiated the character’s over-the-top charisma, relishing every moment in the spotlight, whether dramatically posing or breaking the fourth wall with cheeky grins. As Arthur, James offered a more subtle yet equally funny take on the craziness unfolding around him. With great timing and physical comedy, he stole the scene with accidental brilliance simply by reacting.

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Annie, played by Liza Kononenko, the initially reluctant stage manager forced into the spotlight, was a show-stealer in her own right. Watching the transformation from a panicked stage crew member to a vengeful stand-in was a delight. Annika Vronsky shined as Denise in the role of Perkins, the dutiful maid. Vronsky’s deadpan delivery of lines, often riddled with mistakes or spoken out of order, was a consistent pleaser.

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The real magic came undoubtedly from the stage crew, lead by Indi Kaminski, Olivia Stewart, and Ashley Cyr, who pulled off the show’s intentional errors with flawless precision. From collapsing walls to doors that refused to open, each error was executed with great timing, making it look like a real, genuine disaster. Their ability to blend technical mishaps with comedic brilliance made the performance not just funny, but visually unforgettable.

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St. Mother Teresa High School’s cast and crew embraced the mayhem of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) with an infectious energy and spot-on comedic timing. Their production balanced chaos and control, delivering a cleverly orchestrated disaster from start to finish.

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Rasha Alli, Critic
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School

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Murder, mysteries, and mishaps ensue when the Cornley Drama Society attempts to put on a production of The Murder at Haversham Manor. St. Mother Teresa High School’s The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) successfully fell apart in every manner, creating a performance that was filled with laughter, farce, and absurdity.

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The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) presents the misfortunes of the Cornley Drama Society and their unfortunate production of The Murder at Haversham Manor, a whodunnit murder mystery set in the 1920s. With sets falling apart at every second, lines butchered beyond recognition, and cast and crew members passing out at an abnormal frequency, the Cornley Drama Society struggles to make it through the show to curtain call. And yet, they continue to live by the most important rule in showbiz: the show must go on!

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The cast of St. Mother Teresa created an atmosphere of comedy and humour with practiced ease. The cast’s comedic timing was always on point; each purposeful mishap and mistake was executed flawlessly. The culmination of the astounding special effects, beautiful set, on-point sound and lighting cues, and exemplary acting resulted in a show of utter hilarity and amusement.

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In the role of Taylor, the tired, apathetic tech operator, Emily Poitras brought entertainment to the role with constant sighs of exasperation and hilarious Duran Duran-related one-liners. The actor accomplished the incredible feat of being onstage for nearly the entire production in the brilliantly built off-stage ‘sound booth’, never once breaking character and always remaining engaging. Annika Vronsky’s performance as Perkins, the loveable maid of Haversham Manor, was pure merriment. Vronsky’s constant mispronunciation of various words coupled with the actor’s portrayal of the character’s cluelessness contributed ceaseless mirth to the show.

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On top of the phenomenal acting, the many technical aspects of this particular show were expertly executed. The 1920s murder mystery aesthetic was acutely brought to life through the Hanging on by a Thread Costume Team and the Nearly Nailed It Set Team. The numerous special effects, including every single piece of the set either collapsing or breaking, was achieved with ease and grace, and was wildly impressive. The stage management and crew did an exceptional job at making sure all of these technical cues were performed smoothly and on time. Furthermore, the comedic additions of dramatic lighting and sound cues elevated the theatricality and exuberance of the performance.

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St. Mother Teresa High School’s The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) was nothing short of utter tomfoolery and expertly executed hilarity. The cast and crew put on a remarkable production that was absolutely brimming with glee.

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Zaratamaraun Uduoise, Critic
St. Francis Xavier High School

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A mantle falls, walls collapse, and one of the actors keeps passing out, but in St. Mother Teresa High School’s lively performance of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition), it’s all par for the course.

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The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition), written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, follows the members of the Cornley Drama Society as they try, and fail, to put on The Murder at Haversham Manor. Between the breaking set, unconscious actors, and malfunctioning props, the cast struggles to make sure that the show goes on.

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St. Mother Teresa High School’s performance was engaging. The members of the Cornley Drama Society comedically tried to keep trucking on as everything fell apart, and their ability to stay in character amongst the ensuing chaos was impressive.

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Every member of the Cornley Drama Society was dynamic in their performance. Alexander James, playing Cecil Haversham, was big and loud with the character’s personality. James had great comedic timing and physicality. With a standout lilt and frail disposition, Charlie Nowak Bella brought Florence Colleymoore to life. Nowak Bella delivered every line and every emotional breakdown with so much gusto, giving an excellent performance as Florence fought to keep her role. Annika Vronsky was wonderful as the timid and anxious Perkins, and perfectly portrayed her as a shy maid, fumbling over her difficult-to-pronounce lines.

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Cecil Haversham played by Alexander James (L), Denise played by Annika Vronsky (2nd FL), Annie played by Liza Kononenko (2nd FR) and Inspector Carter played by Olivia Monsour (R), during St. Mother Teresa High School Cappies production of The Play That Goes Wrong, on April 16th 2025. Photo by Summer Denault-Franey /StudentArticle content

The Cornley Drama Society Stage Crew were also fundamental to the performance. They had many standout moments, such as unhinging a stuck door, and forming a mantel with their bodies. They were also key to making sure that every onstage disaster was perfectly timed and executed, making sure that “The Play that Goes Wrong” went right.

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The Hanging on by a Thread Costume Team designed, created, and modified the majority of the costume pieces, all of which perfectly fit their characters and the 1920s era in which the play-within-a-play took place. Florence Colleymoore’s dazzling flapper dress was especially creative, with beautiful, detailed beading work. The Special Effects Team— consisting of Indi Kaminski, Ronan Keown, Cailey Dirksen, Sophie Sun, and Leia Hollinger—planned and executed every part of the set meant to break or be destroyed. The set, created by The Nearly Nailed It Set Team, was wonderfully designed, with detailed stencilling and wood grain, and worked seamlessly with the parts of the set designed to collapse.

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With an intuitively funny cast, a set designed to crumble, and dazzling performances all around, St. Mother Teresa High School’s The Play that Goes Wrong (High School Edition) was entertaining, creative, and delightfully disastrous.

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Elise Janveau, Critic
Nepean High School

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Normally, you’d think the set falling apart would be the worst possible thing that could happen in a play, but in St. Mother Teresa’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) it was actually planned. Hopefully…

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The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition), written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, follows an ill-fated group of actors, the Cornley Drama Society, as they attempt to put on their own play: The Murder at Haversham Manor. The fictional play is about a group of people who get snowed into Haversham Manor after the murder of Charles Haversham (Vinny McMillan). The serious police officer, Inspector Carter (Olivia Monsour), arrives to solve the case where everyone is a suspect. As you might have gathered from the title of the play, things quickly begin to go wrong for the actors, from props breaking and people forgetting their lines, to the entire set falling apart. Will the Cornley Drama Society prevail and manage to finish the show—even if it kills them? Or will they collapse under the weight of their fallen sets, becoming the next victims of Haversham Manor?

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Cecil Haversham played by Alexander James, during St. Mother Teresa High School Cappies production of The Play That Goes Wrong, on April 16th 2025. Photo by Summer Denault-Franey /StudentArticle content

Complete with programs featuring beautiful cover art drawn by Annika Vronsky and matching tickets, St. Mother Teresa’s show started long before the curtains even came up. The special effects team, composed of Indi Kaminski, Ronan Keown, Cailey Dirksen, Sophie Sun, and Leia Hollinger, were responsible for the seamless deterioration of the set. They had clever ways of making the lavish set fall apart—seemingly by accident—and the cast reacted accordingly. There was never an out-of-place reaction, making it seem as though the actors genuinely weren’t expecting the malfunctions. The costumes, made and put together by the Hanging on by a Thread Costume Team, perfectly suited the feel and time period of the fictional play. Each character’s outfit complemented their personalities—from Mary’s sensible blouse and trousers to Florence’s flouncy, flapper-style dress. They even provided two nearly identical dresses for two characters, both incredibly detailed.

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Not only was the appearance of this play spectacular, but the actors had talent to match. Cecil Haversham (Alexander James) is the brother of the deceased with a flair for the dramatic. He is very full of himself and goofy, but is such a master of physical comedy that his flaws can be overlooked. From sword fighting to having affairs with his dead brother’s fiancée, James could do it all, putting everything on the line in the name of comedy. The actor’s facial expressions were hilarious, providing comedic relief even when Cecil wasn’t talking. Florence, his brother’s fiancée—played by Charlie Nowak Bella—was your typical flapper: flirty and seemingly innocent. However, Nowak Bella showed her true personality through wonderful expressions and flowing movements. Mary (Sophia Constantinesco), her serious sister and best friend of the deceased, was always the sensible one of the group. Constantinesco truly nailed Mary’s reactions as things began to go wrong, revealing the genuine emotions of Rachel, the fictional actor playing her.

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Everything about the show was glorious, and kept the audience on the edge of their seats—or on the floor from laughter. Despite what the title suggests, St. Mother Teresa’s play went marvellously right and was truly a night to remember.

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Victoria Sigur, Critic
Immaculata High School

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Set pieces collapsing to the ground, props shattering into pieces, and paint thinner being mistaken for Scotch–has all hell broken loose in this mad production? St. Mother Teresa High School’s performance of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition) was a theatrical amalgamation of every actor and stage crew’s worst nightmares into one unforgettable night.

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This absurd production, written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, presents the Cornley Drama Society’s amusing difficulties as they put on a classic 1920s-era whodunit murder mystery. The rigid director Chris leads the play, with the over-the-top cast of The Murder At Haversham Manor stirring up the ensuing chaos. With lost Duran Duran CDs, actors tripping over their lines, stage crew scrambling onstage to repair sets midway through the performance, and crew members swapping places with the main cast, the cast and crew of St. Mother Teresa High School delivered a uniquely splendid performance.

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Alexander James, who plays the flippant but endearing Cecil Haversham, conveyed a dynamic and enthusiastic performance. James’s passionate delivery of an over-the-top attention-seeking actor enhanced the delightfully chaotic performance. Cecil’s exaggerated, childlike expressions were consistently maintained throughout the performance, and the role’s physically demanding slapstick movements and comedic actions were executed with remarkable ease, seamlessly adding to the character’s charm and humour. Alongside Cecil, Charlie Nowak Bella delivered an incredible performance as Florence Colleymoore, the melodramatic and demanding widow of Charles Haversham (Vinny McMillan), the unfortunate murder victim of Haversham Manor. Nowak Bella embodied Florence’s poise and elegance by capturing her exaggerated posh accent and aristocratic flair. Each ensemble member personified their character’s quirks, from Chris’s edgy demeanor to Annie’s quiet yet unexpectedly competitive nature; the acting showcased remarkable talent.

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Cecil Haversham played by Alexander James and Inspector Carter played by Olivia Monsour, during St. Mother Teresa High School Cappies production of The Play That Goes Wrong, on April 16th 2025. Photo by Summer Denault-Franey /StudentArticle content

The Cornley Drama Society Stage Crew wholeheartedly embraced the chaos within the play through their steadfast commitment to the humour and spontaneity of the mishaps, which contributed to the layers of comedy and elevated the absurdity of the performance.

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Every action was impeccably performed, spotlighting the blunders that added fuel to the chaos and frenzy of the play. As the performance continued, a marvellous but accident-prone set, designed by The Nearly Nailed It set team, went down in shambles as the cast performed. The paintings, props, and decor were meticulously designed to collapse at the precise moment, enhancing the show’s impeccable comedic timing. The manor also perfectly reflected the sophistication of the 1920s, with intricately crafted features of the crest above the main door entrance and antique wallpaper on the walls. The revolving bookcase was discreetly hidden, and the portable grandfather clock was impressively robust, especially as it held the unconscious Florence Colleymoore.

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St. Mother Teresa High School delivered a riotously entertaining production of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition), proving that humour can indeed thrive in the realm of absurdity!

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About the reviews:

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The St. Mother Teresa High School production was reviewed by 33 critics representing 8 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Natalie Simard of Merivale High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Rebeca Ricardo of St. Francis Xavier High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

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Next review: St. Joseph High School’s production of Sense & Sensibility.

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About the Cappies:

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The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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