The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong
By Mischief Theatre
Following a triumphal six-month international tour and a Best New Comedy win at the What’s On Stage Awards 2014, The Play That Goes Wrong is now enjoying an extended run at the West End’s Duchess Theatre.
The Play That Goes Wrong is a side-splitting farce about an amateur drama society’s attempts to stage a 1920s murder mystery play. The group of hapless thespians and backstage crew battle fudged lines, crumbling sets and disappearing props as they claw their way desperately to the final curtain call.
The story of the play-within-a-play that goes hideously wrong has a long tradition in theatre, from Pyramus and Thisby’s attempted performance in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream to Michael Frayn’s hit Noises Off. Offering a flurry of sight gags and a hilarious script written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong is a fantastic addition to this theatrical motif, exploiting the comic potential of theatrical misadventure to its absolute fullest.
Deftly directed by Mark Bell and featuring excellent performances by the entire cast, including Charlie Russell as the lead actor and Nancy Wallinger as the much-beleaguered stage manager, this mischievous symphony of perfectly-timed theatrical disasters is sure to become a cult hit.
- Duration
2 hours and 5 minutes including one 20 minute interval.
- Good To Know
BSL Interpreted performance on Thursday 2nd April at 7.30pm.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Access Information
For Accessibility information please contact 0330 333 4815
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges available after purchase.
- How Does It Work
You will receive a confirmation email with your booking reference.
If you choose collect at box office please print this and bring it with you on the day of the show a minimum of 30 minutes before the performance start time.
If you choose post - tickets are sent 5 days after purchase.
- Suitable For Children
Age Limit: 8+
- Where Do I Go
Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA.
By Tube- Covent Garden
Reviews
Jason
Oct 27, 2019
Great for the whole family ! LOL
Judy
Oct 27, 2019
Having watched the Bank Robbery locally we decided to give this a go - we were not disappointed - hysterical laughter from beginning to end. A must for anyone who loves good, old fashioned slapstick and farce.
Ian
Oct 26, 2019
This play was fast moving, entertaining, skillful, comical, good plot, interactive with audience, relax and enjoy and expect the unexpected..
Julie Stevenson
Oct 23, 2019
This was the second time to the Play that goes wrong! Still so funny the second time, even though I knew all the lines, both casts were fantastic, and I'd go to see it again and again!
Mike
Oct 23, 2019
Great show. Well performed. The audience enjoyed the show, everyone laughing. Well worth seeing.
Wendy
Oct 21, 2019
Performance was fantastic, totally enjoyable. One Question though, what happened to the black and white dog we was told to look for?
Roland
Oct 20, 2019
This is one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. Someone described it as side splittingly funny... I was actually crying with laughter. Views were brilliant from all seats as far as I could see...
Mac Weston
Oct 20, 2019
Chuckle brothers slapstick humour to a whole new level!!
Sonia
Oct 20, 2019
From the moment we were seated until the very end of the performance we were laughing, not just chuckling.............real belly laughter. Even before the play started we were entertained & amused by the antics of the crew. I really can’t remember the last time I laughed so much & no play/film/comedy has ever entertained me so much. Such a lovely theatre, amazing cast and excellent play.
Don Walker
Oct 7, 2019
Ridiculously silly, if it could go wrong it did very OTT but I can honestly say I thought it very, very funny. My sides ached from laughing so much. I would recommend it to anyone. The cast were superb,
Alyson
Sep 30, 2019
I booked this for my 24 year old daughters birthday treat for all 4 of us and we had so been looking forward to seeing this. At no time were we told that it was a special performance - not when I booked tickets, or when looking on the website, or when arriving at the theatre by any staff. The actors ruined several elements of the show the show by explaining beforehand what was going to happen eg a fight scene .... but we are friends so don't worry, a fire but we are all safe so again don't worry but again no mention of it being shown to a particular group of service users. If I had realised that the show was a special screening for a set group of people, I would most definitely NOT have chosen to book seats. As we left the theatre after the show, there was a small note on the window saying that it was a 'relaxed/ performance. Not knowing what that was didn't help. Very disappointed and upset how this birthday treat was not what we had been led to believe at the time of booking. I should have been contacted and told it was a special screening for the autistic society and a refund offered ahead of travelling to London for the day.
Sharon Devlin
Sep 29, 2019
This play is fantastic, the funniest thing I have ever seen. The timing is amazing and must be so technically difficult to do. I reccomend this play to anyone of any age. One thing, we arrived just before wpm to have a drink in the bar which we purchased and then found there is no where to sit and drink it, we were standing crammed into a very small area and on the staircase until they opened the theatre. Needs a rethink.
Ruth M
Sep 29, 2019
It was the second time I have seen this play, and it did not disappoint. The skill and timing of the actors and stage staff is breathtaking. I intend to see the other "goes wrong" plays (have already seen Peter Pan Goes Wrong) and I cannot imagine how they can top this. Five stars, only because I could not give ten!
J Thomas
Sep 25, 2019
Loved this play very funny and very well acted
Keith & Jane Biddle, South Ribble, Lancs.
Sep 23, 2019
From the very start the play has you in stitches. Great laugh all the way through. What energy the actors put in to every piece of the play. Well done guys 10/10!
Irene
Sep 23, 2019
Wonderful for all ages.
Eviette webber
Sep 20, 2019
This was my second visit to see this play and I found myself laughing just a hard as I laughted the first time I visited it's a must see and t's good for the soul
Sarah D
Sep 20, 2019
Loved the show.
david Stamp
Sep 11, 2019
The play that goes wrong was very entertaining and cleverly put together. I always enjoy theatre where the audience is encorporated into the production. The audiemnce laughed and I sat back for a while listening to them enjoying thoroughly themselves. well done, particularly the effects and the 'producer' - very good and well done - you made an excellent ending to my day in London.
Maggie
Sep 9, 2019
One of my favourite plays, specially because everything goes wrong! Amazing cast, beautifully engaged with the public. Could not ask for more.
Ben
Sep 9, 2019
Really enjoyed this as a birthday present, very funny. A few heart-stopping moments with the scenery that added to the drama!
Monica
Sep 6, 2019
I have now seen this play three times. Each time with different friends or family. The timing of the play is amazing and the actors are brilliant.
Jolly runner
Sep 4, 2019
This is the third time I have seen this play and it never fails to make me laugh out loud. Every guest I have brought with me has had the best time - thank you for bringing so much laughter into one evening - a huge congratulations to all the cast.
P&JL
Sep 1, 2019
Found the Play that goes wrong all a bit over the top, maybe that is the intention. Could not understand what people were laughing about, assume it’s an appreciation club thing. Really wasn’t that funny in our opinion. Would not recommend.
Paul Gans
Sep 1, 2019
Brilliant, was thoroughly enjoyed by all family members (from stroppy teens to grandparents). Laughs throughout, even before the curtain went up. looking forward to ‘Groan ups’ and the Magic version!!
Mike
Sep 1, 2019
As the title suggests, nothing goes according to plan. It’s a bit of controlled madness. Really enjoyed it.
Margaret Evans
Aug 29, 2019
Enjoyed every minute of it. We had been to see The Night of the Iguana the day before so a complete contrast. Have recommended it to my friends.
Mrs p Mitchell
Aug 27, 2019
We picked this show in memory of my partners birthday as he passed only last year my family and I had an excellent time just what the doctor needed thank you very much excellent performance
RenRail
Aug 26, 2019
Even before the curtain went up the actors were performing It was a laugh from start to finish Everything went wrong as it was supposed to
Katie Richardson
Aug 25, 2019
Brilliant so funny Worth a watch
Angela
Aug 25, 2019
The play was absolutely brilliant and funny...however I was not impressed with the service from the box office at all. I tried calling the box office at 11am to see if I could buy an extra ticket for my sister to join me that afternoon. No answer for an eternity. So decided to try booking online, messed it up (being a technophobe) and booked the evening instead of the afternoon by mistake. Called them immediately (waited forever again) to ask them if they would swap the booking from evening to afternoon. They flatly refused..even though there were afternoon tickets at exactly the same price. I had to pay again!! Incredibly unhelpful.
Pest
Aug 23, 2019
This is the second time I’ve seen this play, both with other adults,I’m in my eighty’s.This matinee had many children and all of us laughed and joined in with the fun. The logistics are incredible. And how the cast come through unscathed is remarkable. The acting is excellent.
p
Aug 19, 2019
Too slapstick for us though our 13 year old quite enjoyed it.
Anonymous
Aug 18, 2019
Wasn’t sure what to expect but found this play very funny and enjoyed the casts interactions with the audience.
IF
Aug 18, 2019
Extremely entertaining laughed all the way through
Amy
Aug 17, 2019
I watched this last night with my son for his 10th birthday. He and I loved it, it was so funny and kept catching us by surprise. We sat in the stalls, a rather central location which was great. But my parents have seen it up in the circle and said they still had a clear view. He has spent today talking about it and repeating lines and scenarios. He said "it was the funniest thing ever"; there was a wide range of age when we went and everyone was laughing. Definitely worth a watch!
Sheila
Aug 17, 2019
Enjoyed every mad cap completely nutty moment, everyone roaring with laughter throughout.
bk
Aug 16, 2019
came with high expectations of this show but sadly i hardly found it funny at all! the acting and the thought behind the show were good but it only caused me to properly laugh out loud once. would recommend if you have children and/or love slapstick humour but otherwise would avoid.
Ben
Aug 16, 2019
Truly spectacular. Nothing that could go wrong was missed out. Too much fun :-)
Carol
Aug 14, 2019
Really funny show. I laughed all the way through. Highly recommend
Dawn
Aug 14, 2019
It was loads of laughs. Lots of unexpected twists. We enjoyed it very much.
Anthony Walton
Aug 11, 2019
I went with my wife, 22yr old son and his 21yr old girlfriend. We have not so much together in a long time! A thoroughly enjoyable and excellent performance by all the cast. It kept us entertained throughout. The comic timing was pure magic to watch and hear. Choreographed so, so well. Hats off to Cecil and the Inspector - simply brilliant.
Abdullah
Aug 11, 2019
It's genius! The whole play is a mess that will make you faint of laughter.
Paul G
Aug 11, 2019
Didn’t stop laughing from start to finish
Karen
Aug 11, 2019
play was fantastic hysterically funny the comic timing of the whole cast was genuis - would definitely recommend
Emma
Aug 11, 2019
The Duchess theatre is great, we all seats had good views, including the kids, because there are large steps between all tiered seating (dress circle). We took our children 13 and 10 years of age and they spent the whole time laughing. Some obvious slap stick jokes and some less obvious really clever parts which had me crying in laughter. A good fun night out.
Adrian Banks and Joanne Priest
Aug 9, 2019
Probably the most funniest play going, it had everyone in stitches. A must see if you are up for a good giggle.
Cibele
Aug 9, 2019
Brilliant play, I laughed from start to finish. So funny and brilliant acting. Well done all.
Jan Sayer
Aug 8, 2019
Wasn't sure about taking my Catalan grandson( age 18) to the play but I need not have worried as he, and I, loved every minute! He speaks good English but not his first language, We literally laughed every minute throughout. Brilliantly performed, a spoof and slapstick, done to perfection. Might even go again!
Jane
Aug 7, 2019
An excellent play from start to finish. Laugh out loud humour and slapstick comedy moments.