



































Premiering in 2012 at the Old Red Lion Theatre, The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre quickly became a sensation, transferring to the West End where it’s been making audiences laugh ever since. Created by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre, the show follows the inept Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery, but from the moment the curtain rises, everything falls apart. With perfect comic timing, physical gags, collapsing sets, and mishaps (including a character stuck in a grandfather clock), The Play That Goes Wrong on the West End has become a global hit. It has been translated and licensed in over 30 countries. Critically acclaimed, the show has won multiple awards, including an Olivier Award, a Tony Award, and a WhatsonStage Award for Best New Comedy.
The Play That Goes Wrong in London follows the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s attempt to stage The Murder at Haversham Manor. This murder mystery quickly spirals into a chaotic disaster. As the actors stumble through their roles and the set falls apart, the play within a play becomes a riotous spectacle of malfunctioning props, forgotten lines, and a desperate effort to finish the performance. Book The Play That Goes Wrong tickets and enjoy this hilarious and unpredictable journey where everything that could go wrong, does, turning the whodunnit into a slapstick masterpiece.
Show timings for The Play That Goes Wrong may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Note: Producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays.
The Duchess Theatre is one of the most intimate proscenium-arch theatres in London’s West End. Designed by architect Ewen Barr, the theatre was ingeniously crafted to overcome the challenges of an unusually shaped site. The theatre opened its doors in November 1929 with a production of Tunnel Trench by Hubert Griffith. In its early years, the Duchess Theatre hosted a series of short but notable runs featuring works by prominent playwrights, helping to establish its presence in the West End scene.
The Duchess Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Address: Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine Street, London
Tube: The nearest tube stations are Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line), Holborn (Central/ Piccadilly Lines) Charing Cross (Northern/Bakerloo Lines) and Temple (Circle and District Lines).
Bus: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68 76, 87, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188 from Lancaster Place (Stop T) and Aldwych Somerset House (Stop R).
Available facilities: Theatre bar, Cloakroom, Booster seats, Toilet
Accessibility: Assistive listening system
Very funny show. The WiFi at the theatre made it very difficult to pull up the ticket on our phone (and a bit embarrassing since we were a bit brusquely told to step aside til we had it visible) then when he saw we were waiting for it to come up he changed gears and nicely said the WiFi is bad here so go to the windows). But still overall a great experience.
Great play, great actors, big laughters! If you want to forget everyday's problems and get out of the theatre being really happy this is the play for you! If you can, try to be seated in the first rows close to the stage: you can appreciate it even more.I was very lucky to be seated in the second row! Really hilarious!
We have seen the TV shows, but the theater performance is exploring a very different plot line, adding so many surprises and twists that it made us laugh all the way through. The actors are amazing in physical comedy and the decors hide many secrets. Worth seeing.
The performance of the actors with an incredible immersion and the stage settings were absolutely wonderful, all designed to make the audience laugh with every trick. It works wonderfully well and makes for a very lovely evening in London.
One word. Superb! Funniest show ever. Nice small theatre so everyone gets a decent seat! First class performances by all. Literally haven't laughed out loud so much in years!
The cost of the tickets start from £25, and will vary depending on the type of seats you choose.
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 8 years and above
The show is playing at the Duchess Theatre in London.
The running time of the show is 2 hours 5 minutes, with 1 intermission.
It's a comedy about the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery, where everything that can go wrong does, leading to hilarious consequences.
The show explores the chaotic intersection between reality and illusion in live theatre. As the fictional drama society attempts to stage a murder mystery, the line between performance and real-life blunders becomes hilariously blurred. The play is a celebration of the freedom of expression, showing how actors persist through failure with resilience and creativity.
Yes, the production includes pyrotechnics, gunshots, loud sound effects, smoke, and haze.
Yes, it won the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.
Yes, Mischief Theatre has produced other shows like Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Comedy About a Bank Robbery.