In the heart of London’s West End, a play emerged that captivated both local audiences and theatre enthusiasts worldwide. “The Play That Goes Wrong” isn’t just a comedy; it’s a brilliant piece of acting that guarantees belly laughs.
This production truly stood out among the diverse theatrical offerings. It helped Londoners and visitors alike see theatre in a new light. Read more at london-trend.
Creating the Play
“The Play That Goes Wrong” was penned by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, graduates of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), who went on to form “Mischief Theatre” in 2008. The trio began writing the play while sharing a small flat in London. Its debut performance took place in 2012 at “The Old Red Lion Theatre”, a pub theatre in Islington.
The inspiration for the play came from moments during improvised performances when actors’ mistakes would accidentally elicit laughter from the audience. This sparked the authors’ idea to create a play where failure became the central theme.
The plot revolves around the fictitious Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery, “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” However, everything goes spectacularly awry: doors jam, props malfunction, the set collapses, actors fall over, forget their lines, drink white spirit instead of whisky, step on each other’s toes, and mispronounce words. One actress even faints, and her reluctant understudy refuses to perform.
The initial production had a limited budget and ran for just an hour, but its captivating performances and unique humour quickly drew attention. In 2014, “The Play That Goes Wrong” made its triumphant West End debut at the “Duchess Theatre”, where it became a huge hit.
Massive Success
In 2015, “The Play That Goes Wrong” clinched the prestigious “Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy”. Its distinctive humour resonated deeply with Londoners and attracted new audiences. The play has since been staged in numerous countries worldwide, even making its Broadway debut in 2017, where it won a “Tony Award for Best Scenic Design”. The original London cast was involved in the Broadway production, and filmmaker J.J. Abrams made his theatrical producing debut. The Broadway run concluded on January 6, 2019.
Notably, the play was adapted for television. In 2019, “BBC One” aired a special version, “The Goes Wrong Show,” featuring the same fictional troupe “failing” spectacularly at their own productions. Television helped reach a wider audience, making quality humour accessible to those unable to attend the theatre. Following its initial success, the BBC commissioned a second series, which premiered on September 27, 2021.
“The Goes Wrong Show” became an international phenomenon, performed in many countries from China to Nordic nations. The play inspired Mischief Theatre to create other successful comedies, such as “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” which also became West End hits. The play serves as a valuable learning tool for aspiring actors, teaching them comedic timing and improvisation techniques. The production’s success proved that even low-budget projects can compete with major theatrical productions.
Another factor in the play’s triumph was its relatively low ticket prices, making this hilarious and engaging show accessible to a broader audience. The company also employed a humorous marketing strategy, famously urging audiences to “save their money and not come.”
Critical Acclaim and Modern Impact
“The Play That Goes Wrong” has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews. Tim Walker of “The Telegraph” awarded it four out of five stars for its superb execution. Mark Shenton of “London Theatre” also gave it four out of five stars, praising the actors’ inexhaustible energy. Sarah Hemming noted areas for improvement but still awarded four out of five stars. Critics universally highlighted the sheer amount of laughter the show generated in the theatre.
As of January 19, 2023, the production had reached its 3,000th performance at London’s “Duchess Theatre”. “The Play That Goes Wrong” is the longest-running production at this theatre since its opening and remains the most entertaining comedy in the West End. Interestingly, as the show grew in scale, the actors underwent circus training. The London-based company “Aircraft Circus” provided specialised training to prepare the cast for the demanding stunts. The aim of the training was to ensure the actors could perform the tricks consistently over a long run.
Since its creation, this comedic play has become incredibly popular, with performances staged in 49 countries worldwide. The Spanish adaptation, “La Función Que Sale Mal,” has run in Madrid for six years.
In conclusion, “The Play That Goes Wrong” is a global theatrical phenomenon that has captured the hearts of many. What began with young actors in a small pub has transformed into a critically acclaimed West End stage production. This comedic masterpiece has also conquered Broadway audiences. The play’s continued success delights London audiences and proves, time and again, that laughter can indeed save any situation.
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