It's the 10th anniversary of The Play That Goes Wrong in the West End, a triumphant achievement for the comedy. The production, which follows the chaotic opening night of a murder mystery by The Cornley Drama Society, continues to delight audiences with its comedic mayhem.… where just a few things go wrong! From its debut, the show has captivated audiences with its inventive blend of slapstick and farce, proving that when things go wrong, they can go spectacularly right in the world of comedy.
The special anniversary performance draws a crowd of original creatives, former cast members, and production crew, filling the atmosphere with a unique sense of excitement and nostalgia for the occasion.
In the first act, the show delivers the trademark slapstick humor that fans have come to love. Expect to see a series of classic mishaps—characters comically walking into walls, furniture collapsing in the most inconvenient ways, and running gags that cause some audience members to even snort with laughter. We’re introduced to the play’s endearing characters and their signature quirks. For instance, Daniel Anthony's portrayal of the nervous Dennis, who has not-so-discreetly scribbled lines on his hand, provides plenty of laughs. Meanwhile, Jonathan, played by Alex Bird this evening, who is supposed to be the murder victim, but keeps accidentally showing up alive, adds to the evening’s hilarity. The whole cast, who have been part of the production since April, bring such electric energy to the stage, ensuring the jokes, which could run tiresome, present as quite the opposite.
The second act cranks up the absurdity even more, with the comedic gags hitting their peak. If you can imagine anything going wrong in a production, it happens here—and in the most hilarious way. A standout moment is when Jay Olpin’s exuberant character Max, who has been clumsily bumping into a wooden post all evening, finally crashes into it with such force that the post collapses. The resulting chaos causes the second level of the set to topple, leaving the characters hilariously scrambling and clinging on for dear life.
A special highlight of the evening is the surprise appearances by members of the original cast throughout the show. The night concludes with a heartfelt moment as Jonathan Sayer, one of the writers of the show and an original cast member, reflects on the past decade.
To celebrate the anniversary, Mischief have announced over 360 £10 front row tickets will be released throughout September. To access these tickets, sign up at www.MischiefComedy.com to receive weekly ticket release via email every Friday at 12 noon.
The Play That Goes Wrong continues to play at the Duchess Theatre. Tickets: here.