The Play That Goes Wrong: Book Tickets Now

See The Play That Goes Wrong, London's longest-running comedy, at the Duchess Theatre on Catherine Street.

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The Play That Goes Wrong

Highlights

Enjoy the longest-running comedy show in London’s West End.

Watch a comedic twist on a traditional whodunnit murder mystery set in the 1920s.

Witness a multi-award-winning play, including the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

Good to Know About The Play That Goes Wrong

Running time is about 2 hours: That includes one interval.

Recommended for ages 8 and over: Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by, and seated next to, an adult aged 18 or over.

Published content notes: pyrotechnics, flashing lights, loud noises, gunshots and slapstick violence: Death and murder are referenced throughout, in the context of a comic murder-mystery.

There is no fully step-free route into the theatre: A stair climber is used to reach the Stalls; see Facilities and Accessibility below.

A radio-frequency hearing assistance system is available: First come, first served, with an in-ear stethoset or a neckloop compatible with T-coil hearing aids.

About The Play That Goes Wrong

Cast members performing a scene from The Play That Goes Wrong

The accident-prone Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempts to stage a 1920s country-house murder mystery, The Murder at Haversham Manor. As the amateur troupe battles a collapsing set, missing props and forgotten lines, the show spirals into escalating physical comedy while the onstage mystery of who murdered Charles Haversham is eventually solved.

Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre, with the current West End production directed by Matt DiCarlo.

Interesting Facts About The Play That Goes Wrong

The show began life in 2012 as a short production at the Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington, before transferring to Trafalgar Studios in 2013.

It opened in the West End at the Duchess Theatre on 14 September 2014, where it continues to run, and is widely described as London's longest-running comedy.

The production won the 2015 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

A Broadway transfer opened at the Lyceum Theatre on 2 April 2017, marking J.J. Abrams's debut as a Broadway producer; the run closed on 6 January 2019.

Scenic designer Nigel Hook won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play for the Broadway production.

The show later transferred Off-Broadway to New World Stages, opening 11 February 2019 and reopening there in October 2021 after the pandemic closure.

It has been licensed and produced in more than 30 countries, including Canada, Australia, Germany, France and India.

The play is written and produced by Mischief Theatre, the company behind a wider stable of comedies built on the same escalating-disaster premise.

The Play That Goes Wrong - Highlights in Pictures

Scene from The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre

Duchess Theatre

3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA

Around 494 seats across two levels, the Stalls and Dress Circle

Opened on 25 November 1929, designed by architect Ewen Barr; the Stalls were built below street level to preserve neighbouring buildings' rights to daylight

A Grade II listed building, often described as the West End's smallest proscenium-arch theatre

Getting There

By Tube
By Bus
By Car

By Tube

Covent Garden station, about a 5-minute walk via Russell Street and Catherine Street, is served by the Piccadilly line.

Temple station, on the Circle and District lines, is also within walking distance. Charing Cross is the nearest National Rail mainline station.

Duchess Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

Interior view of the Duchess Theatre auditorium

There is no fully step-free route into the Duchess Theatre: the main entrance has one shallow step from street level, and wheelchair users reach the Stalls via a stair climber. The Dress Circle is reached by steps from the foyer. Bars and washrooms are available on both the Stalls and Dress Circle levels.

Wheelchair spaces and companion seating are located in the Stalls, reached via the stair climber; wheelchair users are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes early.
A radio-frequency hearing assistance system is available, first come first served, with an in-ear stethoset or a T-coil-compatible neckloop.
An accessible unisex toilet is located near the Stalls.
Captioned, audio-described and BSL-interpreted performances are scheduled periodically for this production.

FAQs about The Play That Goes Wrong at Duchess Theatre

What is The Play That Goes Wrong about?

The accident-prone Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempts to stage a 1920s country-house murder mystery, The Murder at Haversham Manor, as a collapsing set, missing props and forgotten lines send the show spiralling into escalating physical comedy.

How long does the show run?

About 2 hours, including one interval.

What age is the show recommended for?

Recommended for ages 8 and over. Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by, and seated next to, an adult aged 18 or over.

Are there content warnings?

The theatre's own show page lists pyrotechnics, flashing lights, loud noises, gunshots and slapstick violence, with death and murder referenced throughout in a comic context.

When did The Play That Goes Wrong open in the West End?

It opened at the Duchess Theatre on 14 September 2014, after starting life at the Old Red Lion Theatre in 2012, and is widely described as London's longest-running comedy.

Did the show win any awards?

It won the 2015 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Its Broadway production's scenic designer, Nigel Hook, won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play.

Is the Duchess Theatre wheelchair accessible?

There is no fully step-free route: wheelchair users reach the Stalls, where wheelchair spaces are located, via a stair climber from the main entrance. Arriving at least 45 minutes early is recommended.

Is hearing assistance available?

Yes, a radio-frequency system is available first come first served, with an in-ear stethoset or a T-coil-compatible neckloop.

What is the nearest tube station to the Duchess Theatre?

Covent Garden, about a 5-minute walk, served by the Piccadilly line. Temple station is also within walking distance.

Is there parking near the theatre?

The theatre's operator does not endorse a specific car park partner and recommends public transport, walking or cycling instead of driving.

Who wrote The Play That Goes Wrong?

Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre, with the current West End production directed by Matt DiCarlo.

Has The Play That Goes Wrong played outside London?

Yes. It transferred to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre in 2017 and has been licensed and produced in more than 30 countries, including Canada, Australia, Germany, France and India.