Groan Ups, is a play by Mischief Theatre, one of only two (the other being The Comedy About a Bank Robbery) not to intentionally feature anything going wrong.
The story centres around five students, following them from primary school, to secondary school, and finally school reunion. Unlike most of Mischief's work, it is very deep and introspective (whilst still being a farcical comedy.)
Tropes featured in Groan Ups include:
- Anguished Declaration of Love: Archie reveals that he hid the test papers because he was jealous of Katie, because she was dating Spencer, who he was in love with.
- Bad "Bad Acting": Chemise, the model/actress who Simon hires to pretend to be his girlfriend.
- Chekhov's Gun: The "hidden place" where Archie hides Spencer's test papers.
- Enfant Terrible: Moon is proud that her au pair considers her one of these.
- Forgettable Character: Paul, the ex-student who turns up at the reunion and is not recognised by any of the others. It drives him to despair, until he realises he has come to the wrong reunion, and cheerfully thanks everyone for a pleasant evening.
- Foreshadowing: Archie refuses to kiss Spencer as part of a dare because it would be "gay." It later turns out that Archie is in love with Spencer.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: Simon, who is thoroughly teased or bullied by the others. Sadly, this results in him developing a serious inferiority complex.
- From the Mouths of Babes: The opening scene has the children participating in a warm up game about their weekend, which includes them acting out Katie's father having sex with the maid (with them under the misapprehension that they were arguing about where to put the mop.)
- Nice Guy: Spencer is the most amiable of the characters throughout the play.
- Rule of Three: Chemise's attempts to stage a dramatic breakup with Simon take place three times, becoming more over the top each time. Additionally, Spencer manages to kill three hamsters by the end of the play.
- School Bullying Is Harmless: Seriously averted, Simon's being bullied has led to him to being an insecure
Jerkass Woobie. - Straight Gay: Archie is revealed to be gay.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: Simon ends the play passionately making out with Moon.
- Wham Line: ”BECAUSE I WANTED YOU!”
