Last night’s performance of “The Misadventures of Sir Quackalot” at the Kansas City Theater was an experience that many might describe as surreally disastrous. This production, set in a bizarre world where ducks have overthrown humanity to establish a feathered empire, was as outlandish as its plotline.
The title character, Sir Quackalot, played by an actor whose inability to remember lines was only surpassed by his talent for tripping over his own webbed-foot costume, led the charge in what can only be described as a theatrical catastrophe. The costume department seemed to have raided a discount Halloween store the day after Halloween, resulting in a jarring mix of poorly fitted duck outfits and capes that looked more like bath towels.
The plot, a convoluted tale involving Sir Quackalot’s quest to find the Golden Worm of Destiny, was as hard to follow as it was to take seriously. Scenes intended to be dramatic ended up provoking unintentional laughter, while the comedic scenes were met with a deafening silence from the bewildered audience.
Midway through the second act, the audience’s bewilderment turned to outrage. In a scene where Sir Quackalot was supposed to deliver a rousing speech, the actor forgot his lines and instead began to ad-lib a song about ducks and their love for breadcrumbs. This was the last straw for the audience. People started shouting at the actors, expressing their displeasure in no uncertain terms. It wasn’t long before food and beverages, purchased at the theater’s concession stands, began to fly towards the stage in an act of collective rebellion.
The climax of the play, which involved a poorly choreographed battle between rebel geese and the duck empire, was completely overshadowed by the chaos in the audience. Many left the theater before the final curtain, their quacking laughter and jeers echoing through the hall.
In an unexpected twist, the production team has announced that they will continue their run, undeterred by the less-than-enthusiastic reception. “The Misadventures of Sir Quackalot” will perform its next show this Saturday at 7 PM. Viewer discretion is advised, as well as a sense of humor.