The Play That Goes Wrong: What you need to know about the smash-hit comedy and how to find tickets

Learn all about this side-splitting farce and plan your London trip to see The Play That Goes Wrong

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The original hit by the now world-conquering British company Mischief, The Play That Goes Wrong is all about an amateur dramatics troupe trying to put on an Agatha Christie-type murder mystery – but everything that can go wrong, does go wrong!
That includes cast members forgetting their lines or tripping each other up, through to rogue props, accidents and injuries, and finally the entire set beginning to fall down in spectacular fashion. Just when you think you can’t laugh any more, another amazing piece of chaos makes you howl all over again.
It’s a loving spoof of creaky theatre, performed – in actuality – by a remarkably slick cast of brilliant comic actors. No wonder it’s become a global smash, and spawned multiple spin-off shows, including Magic Gone Wrong and Peter Pan Gone Wrong.
You can find seats for the London production of The Play That Goes Wrong on Telegraph Tickets. Check the site for the latest prices.
The show originally featured the Mischief company, who created the show. The core members are Henry Shields, Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer. However, it’s had a life far beyond that initial cast, providing fantastic roles for numerous actors with a gift for slapstick.
Currently, the London cast features Jordan Akkaya, Daniel Anthony, Joe Bolland, Daniel Fraser, Billie Hamer, Owen Jenkins, Jay Olpin, and Hannah Sinclair Robinson. It’s a true team effort, and this is a seriously impressive team.
The Play That Goes Wrong was created in 2012 for the Old Red Lion theatre pub in London. It has since become the longest-running comedy in the West End – plus it’s been staged in 30 countries around the world. It won an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and a Tony Award for its incredible design.
The Play That Goes Wrong runs at the Duchess Theatre, which is on Catherine Street, right by Covent Garden, the Royal Opera House and other West End venues on the Strand.
The Play That Goes Wrong is 2hr 5mins, including an interval.
The Play That Goes Wrong is currently booking to May 4, 2025. 
The age recommendation for The Play That Goes Wrong is eight plus. Children aged under five will not be admitted to the theatre, and those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Yes, the show runs some relaxed performances. Upcoming dates can be found on the theatre website.
“Doors stick, supporting pillars collapse, a fire breaks out, and eventually the walls come crashing down – to delighted shrieks from the audience. Buy The Play That Goes Wrong tickets in expectation of giant belly laughs, and you won’t be disappointed.” Read the full Telegraph review.
The theatre’s official advice is eight plus. There’s nothing really scary or mature in the show, but younger children might be alarmed by some elements – such as the various accidents and calamities. Other than that, it’s mainly delightful family fun, guaranteed to get everyone laughing helplessly.
The play that the troupe is trying to stage (within The Play That Goes Wrong) is a 1920s murder mystery set in a country house. The whodunit formula will be familiar to fans of Agatha Christie. However, it’s a deliberately shoddy version of a whodunit, adding extra comic fun with its portentous dialogue and hammy plot twists.
The murder mystery forms the spine of the show, but the actual story is what’s happening in reality – the poor cast stuck in the performance from hell, but determined that the show must go on, whatever happens. It’s hugely enjoyable watching each fresh disaster unfolding.