4001 performances later, and The Play that Goes Wrong is still going so, so right.
Let’s not beat around the bush here: The Play That Goes Wrong is not a show you need convincing to see. If you’ve heard of it, you’ve likely been told by someone who’s seen it that it’s an absolute riot. This review isn’t going to reinvent the wheel, because when it comes to this kind of ridiculous, slapstick brilliance, everyone already knows what’s coming – it’s comedy gold. But I’d be doing a disservice if I didn’t share just how much fun I had at the Duchess Theatre during their 4001st performance, and with a brand-new cast.
Here’s the thing: The Play That Goes Wrong is a true crowd-pleaser in every sense of the word. Whether you’re 7 or 70, you’re guaranteed to leave with sore cheeks from all the laughter – not one person was immune to the show’s infectious comedy. Every laugh, every gasp, every “did-that-just-happen?” moment was shared by the whole crowd. And we’re talking consistent laughter here – not just the occasional chuckle, but full-on belly laughs that had the theatre practically shaking for two hours straight.
This was the debut of a brand-new cast, and it didn’t show for a second. I never had the pleasure of seeing the previous cast in action, so I went in with fresh eyes – and let me tell you, I was completely won over. You’d think this troupe had been performing this show together for years, their comedic timing was so on point. It’s the kind of seamless performance where every blunder and snappy line lands with perfection. The whole thing is one big, joyful mess of chaos, and it’s honestly impressive how well the cast pulls it off.
The script is a parody of a parody, with new gags practically every minute (sometimes more), and the performers deliver them with a glorious blend of slapstick and sharp wit that had me in stitches. There’s one particular sequence towards the end of Act 1 where I literally could not stop laughing – my face ached by the time the interval arrived. That’s the magic of this show: it’s non-stop fun from start to finish.
But let’s take a moment to talk about the cast. Izzy Edmunds-Clarke as stage manager Annie and Ronnie Yorke as the sound/lighting technician were so effortlessly believable as the backstage crew caught up in the mayhem. You could practically feel the sweat and panic as their night spiraled out of control. Charlotte Scott, as ingenue Sandra, brings the perfect level of exaggerated flamboyance to her role – think every over-the-top, “stagey” TikTok girl you’ve ever seen, but brought to life in the most hilarious way. Robert Jackson as Robert and Jack Hardwick as Chris played off each other with ease, trying to keep their composure amid the absolute catastrophe unfolding around them. Jonty Peach as Jonathan – well, hats off to anyone who can make playing a dead body so riotously funny. And Mitesh Soni as Dennis and Tom Wainwright as Max were scene stealers, with Soni’s facial expressions alone deserving their own standing ovation. Wainwright, on the other hand, delivers the kind of comically-campy, hammed-up performance that’s both endearing and hilarious.
The long and short of it is this: If you’ve been on the fence about seeing The Play That Goes Wrong, stop hesitating. And if you’ve seen it before – it’s definitely worth a rewatch. The new cast is exceptional, the script as sharp and funny as ever, and the physical comedy and delivery is next-level. This show, for all its mishaps, is the best kind of right you could ask for at the theatre. It’s a masterclass in comedic timing, and I genuinely think it’s even funnier than you could expect. In a show where things go wrong, they’ve managed to get everything absolutely right.