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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.

Prepare for a night of absolute, unforgettable theatrical catastrophe as the accident-prone Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempts to stage a 1920s murder mystery in The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre. Brace yourself for two hours of non-stop, side-splitting belly laughs by booking your tickets today before the set collapses!

Good to Know About The Play That Goes Wrong

The production features a standard, crisp running time: The total performance duration is approximately 2 hours, which includes one standard 20-minute interval.

The hilarious chaos is designed for older children and families: The production is officially recommended for theatregoers aged eight and above, and children under the age of five are strictly not permitted inside.

Younger comedy fans require adult supervision throughout the show: Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult aged 18 or older who is seated directly next to them.

The pre-show entertainment begins before the official curtain rises: Audience members are highly encouraged to arrive in their seats early, as the hilarious cast members begin interacting with the set and the crowd prior to the official start time.

Late arrival cannot be fully guaranteed by the venue management: Latecomers may be admitted into the auditorium at a suitable break in the performance, but entry cannot always be guaranteed due to the chaotic nature of the staging.

Ticket bookings cannot be altered or cancelled once confirmed: All sales for this Olivier Award-winning comedy are completely final, making tickets non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-amendable.

The production relies heavily on intense, physical special effects: Audiences should expect a highly physical performance that features sudden loud noises, falling set pieces, and fast-paced slapstick stunts.

The historic venue features multiple levels but lacks an elevator: Because the Duchess Theatre does not have a public lift, visitors must navigate traditional staircases to access the upper seating areas and main restrooms.

About The Play That Goes Wrong

The Play That Goes Wrong is a masterclass in theatrical catastrophe that has been leaving West End audiences in stitches for over a decade. The premise follows the fictional, wildly inept Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they attempt to stage an upscale 1920s murder mystery titled The Murder at Haversham Manor. From the moment the curtain rises, the production devolves into absolute, side-splitting chaos as the accident-prone cast battles a rapidly dissolving set, missing props, forgotten lines, and unconscious actors.

Created by the Olivier Award-winning Mischief Theatre company, this global comedy phenomenon combines classic Agatha Christie-style whodunit tropes with breathtaking, fast-paced slapstick stunts and impeccable comic timing, proving that when everything that can go wrong does, it makes for an unforgettable night of theatrical joy.

How to Get to Duchess Theatre?

Duchess Theatre
3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA

Tucked away in the heart of London’s West End, the Duchess Theatre is a charmingly intimate venue located just off the eastern end of the Strand. It stands seamlessly nestled amidst the vibrant cultural hub of Covent Garden, directly adjacent to the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane and just a short walk from Somerset House and the River Thames.

Directions

By Underground
By Bus
By Car

By Underground

Covent Garden station is the closest tube stop, located a brief five-minute walk away via Russell Street and Catherine Street, providing access to the Piccadilly line.
Alternatively, Temple station is a seven-minute walk away for Circle and District line commuters, while Holborn station is an eight-minute walk away for Central line access.

By Bus

The venue is exceptionally well-served by London’s bus network, with multiple major routes stopping nearby on the Strand, Aldwych, and Waterloo Bridge.

These stops are all within a three-minute walk of the theatre's main doors, offering effortless day and night public transport links across the city.

By Car

Driving directly to the venue is highly discouraged due to extreme central London traffic, strict turning restrictions, and a complete lack of designated street parking.

The theatre sits entirely within London’s Congestion Charge zone, but drivers can utilize the nearby secure Q-Park Covent Garden parking facility located on Bedfordbury.

Duchess Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

The Duchess Theatre provides essential amenities within one of the most intimate playhouses in the West End, though visitors must note that its historic 1929 design does not include a public elevator. Concession bars and merchandise counters are available in both the Stalls and Dress Circle foyers, offering show programs, official merchandise, snacks, and a full selection of hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages before the performance and during the interval.

Standard restroom facilities are located on both main audience levels, but reaching them requires navigating the venue's traditional staircases. Because the foyer areas are quite compact and can become crowded during the 20-minute interval, theatre staff are available to provide an at-seat service to deliver drinks and confectionery directly to patrons who prefer to remain in their auditorium seats.
For patrons with specific mobility or accessibility requirements, step-free access is available directly from the street into the Dress Circle level via a designated side entrance on Catherine Street. The Dress Circle houses the theatre's specialized wheelchair spaces and companion seating, with a fully accessible, unisex restroom located close by on the same level for maximum convenience.
Access guests are highly encouraged to contact the theatre’s dedicated booking team well in advance to secure these specific locations and to arrange for staff assistance upon arrival.
Additionally, the auditorium is equipped with an infrared audio enhancement system, allowing guests with hearing impairments to utilize headsets or neck loops, which can be collected from the theater’s front-of-house team prior to the show.

Interesting Facts About The Play That Goes Wrong

The smash-hit production holds the incredible title of being the longest-running comedy currently playing in London's West End.

The creators initially wrote the script in just four weeks while living together as roommates in a run-down London apartment.

The farce originally opened in 2012 as a short, one-act production upstairs at the tiny Old Red Lion pub theatre in Islington.

Acclaimed filmmaker J.J. Abrams randomly watched the show on a day off from filming Star Wars and immediately signed on to produce its Broadway transfer.

The show's incredibly intricate and structurally compromised set design actually won a prestigious Tony Award for Best Scenic Design.

To pull off the intense physical comedy safely, the original cast members underwent intensive professional circus and stunt training.

The production is notoriously tough on its cast, requiring them to collectively survive roughly 19 physical hits or falls per performance.

During a memorable moment in the show, the Inspector frequently breaks the fourth wall to comically lecture unruly audience members for shouting out clues.

The Play That Goes Wrong - Highlights in Pictures

FAQs about The Play That Goes Wrong at Duchess Theatre

What is the main concept behind this comedy?

The show follows the fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery that hilariously falls apart due to missing props, forgotten lines, and a collapsing set.

How long does a performance of the show last?

The total running time for the production is approximately two hours, which includes one standard 20-minute intermission.

What is the recommended age for the audience?

The comedy is officially recommended for theatregoers aged eight and above, and children under the age of five are strictly prohibited from entering.

Do children need to be accompanied by an adult inside the theatre?

Yes, any young audience member under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult aged 18 or older who is seated directly next to them.

Why should I arrive at my seat before the official start time?

You should arrive early because the cast members begin the entertainment before the curtain rises by comically interacting with the audience and the set.

Can I get into the auditorium if I arrive after the show starts?

Late entry cannot be guaranteed due to the chaotic nature of the staging, though latecomers may be admitted if a suitable break in the performance occurs.

Can I exchange my tickets or get a refund if my plans change?

All sales for this production are completely final, meaning that tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-amendable.

What kinds of physical special effects should the audience expect?

The high-energy performance relies heavily on fast-paced slapstick stunts, sudden loud noises, and deliberately falling set pieces.

Is there a public lift inside the Duchess Theatre?

The historic 1929 venue does not feature a public elevator, meaning guests must use the traditional staircases to access the upper seating levels and restrooms.

Where is the designated step-free seating located?

Step-free access from the street is available via a designated side entrance on Catherine Street, which leads straight into the Dress Circle level where the wheelchair spaces are located.

What is the closest London Underground station to the venue?

Covent Garden station is the nearest tube stop, located just a brief five-minute walk from the theater doors via Russell Street and Catherine Street.

Where can I park my car if I choose to drive to the show?

Driving is highly discouraged due to central traffic, but you can utilize the secure Q-Park Covent Garden parking facility located nearby on Bedfordbury.