THE ORIGINAL CAST OF
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG REUNITE FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY
HAVING BEEN ‘RESTING’ FOR 7 YEARS, THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE WORSE THAN EVER!
MANCHESTER 30 MAY – 4 JUNE | NEWCASTLE 6 – 11 JUNE
The original cast of The Play That Goes Wrong are reprising their roles for two weeks as part of the production’s current UK tour, 10 years after they first performed the play at The Old Red Lion Pub Theatre.
The original cast from the 2012 run, Rob Falconer (Trevor), Dave Hearn (Max), Henry Lewis (Robert), Charlie Russell (Sandra), Jonathan Sayer (Dennis), Henry Shields (Chris), Greg Tannahill (Jonathan) and Nancy Zamit (Annie) reunite to perform The Play That Goes Wrong to UK audiences for the first time in over five years, playing at Opera House Manchester, 30 May – 4 June 2022, and Theatre Royal Newcastle, 6 – 11 June 2022.
The Play That Goes Wrong is on its 5th UK tour, running until 21 August, and is blundering its way through its 8th year in the West End, currently booking until April 2023. Last year it became the longest running play at The Duchess Theatre (since the theatre opened in 1929), and is the longest running comedy in the West End.
Jonathan Sayer said today, “We’re so excited to be going back into The Play That Goes Wrong. It’s such a special show for us all and we really can’t wait to perform again and make people laugh in two amazing cities!”
Kenny Wax commented, “I’m just sorry for everyone involved – especially the audiences.”
Awarded the 2014 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy, the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and a Tony Award for the Broadway transfer, The Play That Goes Wrong continues to delight audiences in the West End, Off Broadway and around the world. The show’s success is a testament to the hard work and determination of a group of drama school graduates who became friends, set up a company under the name ‘Mischief’ and created an extraordinary body of work. The Play That Goes Wrong shows no signs of slowing down since its first performance at The Old Red Lion in 2012 with only four paying customers. Since then, it has played to an audience of over two million and now has productions in over 30 countries.
The Play That Goes Wrong is co-written by Mischief company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields and is directed by Mark Bell, with set designs by Nigel Hook, costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by Ric Mountjoy, original music by Rob Falconer, sound design by Andy Johnson, the associate director is Sean Turner and the resident director is Amy Milburn. The Play That Goes Wrong is produced in the West End by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd.
Rob Falconer (he/him) plays Trevor. He is an actor, musician and composer who has worked with Mischief for over 10 years. His credits for Mischief include The Play That Goes Wrong (Lyceum Theatre, Broadway/Duchess Theatre, West End/international tour), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Pleasance, Islington) and Lights! Camera! Improvise! (West End/international tour). His other credits include School of Rock (New London Theatre), Red Riding Hood, Sinbad, The Sword in the Stone (New Wolsey Theatre), Slow Falling Bird (Arts Theatre), Romeo & Juliet (Watermill Theatre), Cool Hand Luke (Aldwych Theatre) and Assassins (Unicorn Theatre). Falconer has also composed scores and created sound design for a number of shows including for The Play That Goes Wrong; Peter Pan Goes Wrong and Chaskis Theatre’s Las Americas festival.
Dave Hearn (he/him) plays Max. He is an actor and founding member the Olivier Award-winning Mischief. His credits for Mischief include Magic Goes Wrong (West End), The Play That Goes Wrong (Broadway/West End/UK and international tour – winner of Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2015 and WhatsOnStage Awards); Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1/West End/UK tour/Pleasance London – nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (West End – nominated Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards), The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1), Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1), Magic Goes Wrong (Comic Relief BBC1); The Royal Variety Performance (ITV); Mischief Movie Night (West End/UK tour – nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards). His other credits include Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Henry Lewis (he/him) plays Robert. He is an Olivier Award winning writer, actor and producer and is the artistic director of Mischief. Henry’s work has been produced in over 40 countries worldwide. His credits include The Valiant Quest of Prince Ivandoe (actor, Cartoon Network), Mischief Movie Night In (co-creator/actor/producer – live stream), Magic Goes Wrong (writer/actor – West End/Lowry, 2020 Olivier nominee for Best New Entertainment/Comedy Play, co-created with Penn & Teller), The Goes Wrong Show (writer/actor, BBC1), Groan Ups (writer/actor, West End), Mischief Movie Night (co-creator/actor – West End/UK tours – nominated for Best New Comedy – Olivier Awards 2018), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (writer/actor, West End/UK tour – nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2017), The Play that Goes Wrong (writer/actor, West End/Broadway/UK and international tours – Winner of Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2015 and WhatsOnStage Awards 2014), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (writer/actor, BBC1/West End/UK tour/Pleasance London – Nominated for Best New Comedy – Oliver Awards 2016) and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (writer/actor, BBC1). He has also performed at The Royal Variety Performance 2015 & 2019 (ITV1), We are Most Amused and Amazed: Prince Charles’ 70th Birthday Celebration (ITV1), Keep it in the Family (ITV1), Children in Need 2020 (BBC1) and Comic Relief 2022 (BBC1). He also produced and performed in the critically acclaimed revival of Mercury Fur (Trafalgar Studios— Off-West End Awards nominee for Best Production), Beasts & Beauties (Hampstead Theatre) and produced the UK premiere of Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts (Southwark Playhouse—winner of Peter Brook Empty Space Award). Henry is also the creator and founder of The Mystery Agency.
Charlie Russell (she/her) plays Sandra. Sheis an actor, writer, improviser, and Creative Associate of Mischief Theatre. Her credits for Mischief include Groan Ups (West End), The Play That Goes Wrong (UK tour/West End/Broadway), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Pleasance/West End/BBC1 adaptation), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (West End), A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1), The Goes Wrong Show (BBC 1), Mischief Movie Night (West End/UK tour). Russell will shortly be taking her first solo show, Charlie Russell Aims To Please to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She co-produced (as part of Mischief) the Mischief Movie Night London Run and UK Tour and produced the new play piano_play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her other credits include And Then There Were None (BBC1/Mammoth Screen).
Jonathan Sayer (he/him) plays Dennis. Heis an Olivier Award-winning writer, actor, producer and Director of Mischief. His work has been performed in over 40 countries worldwide. Theatre credits include Mischief Movie Night In (co-creator/actor/producer – live stream), Magic Goes Wrong (writer/actor – West End/Lowry/UK Tour – Nominated for Best New Entertainment/Comedy Play – Olivier Award 2020, co-created with magicians Penn & Teller), Groan Ups (writer/actor – West End/UK tour), Mischief Movie Night (co-creator/actor/producer- West End/UK tours – nominated Best New Comedy – Olivier Award 2018), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (writer/actor- Criterion Theatre/UK tour), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (writer/actor- UK tour/West End), The Play That Goes Wrong (actor/writer – Lyceum Theatre, Broadway/Duchess Theatre, West End/UK and international tour – Best New Comedy – Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award), Lights! Camera! Improvise! (actor, improviser, producer – Spirit of the Fringe Award 2013, Best Improv Show Award 2012) and Happy Birthday Simon (actor, Orange Tree Theatre). Television credits include The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1, writer/actor), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1, writer/actor/associate producer), The Royal Variety Performance: The Play That Goes Wrong (ITV, writer/actor), A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1, writer/actor). Jonathan has also appeared in We are Most Amused and Amazed (ITV1), Keep it in the Family (ITV1), Children in Need 2020 (BBC1) and Comic Relief 2022 (BBC1). Jonathan is a trustee for Mousetrap Theatre Projects and is the co-chair of Ashton United Football Club. He is currently working on his first book.
Henry Shields (he/him) plays Chris. He is an Olivier award-winning writer, has been a member of Mischief since 2009 and is a Creative Associate of the company. Theatre credits include Magic Goes Wrong (writer/actor – West End/Lowry/UK Tour – Nominated for Best New Entertainment/Comedy Play – Olivier Award 2020, co-created with magicians Penn & Teller), Groan Ups (West End, writer/actor), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (writer/actor – 2016 Olivier Award nominee for Best New Comedy), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (writer/actor), The Play That Goes Wrong (writer/actor – winner 2015 Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy), The Nativity Goes Wrong (writer), and The Busy Body (Southwark Playhouse). Television credits include The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1), and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1).
Greg Tannahill (he/him) plays Jonathan. His credits for Mischief include The Play That Goes Wrong (UK tour/West End/Broadway), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (West End), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (West End), and for television, The Goes Wrong Show (BBC), A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC), The Royal Variety Performance 2015 (The Play That Goes Wrong). His other credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lamb Players), Beyond Beauty (Rebel Theatre), Events While Guarding the Bofors Gun (Pennard Road Productions); Irons (Local Girl Productions) and The Shoemaker’s Holiday (Shakespeare’s Globe). He was also associate director on The Play That Goes Wrong (US tour, 2018).
Nancy Zamit (she/her) plays Annie. She is an actor, director and Creative Associate at Mischief. Her theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (West End/Broadway); Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Apollo Theatre), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (Criterion Theatre), Mischief Movie Night, Groan Ups (Vaudeville Theatre), Magic Goes Wrong (Vaudeville Theatre/Apollo Theatre), Lights! Camera! Improvise! (Trafalgar Studios) and Shadow Language (Theatre503). Her television credits include The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1), Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (2015 & 2019), Comic Relief (2019 & 2022) and Brunch Bitches. As an associate director her credits include The Comedy About A Bank Robbery; and as assistant director, The Play That Goes Wrong, Waiting For Waiting For Godot (St James Theatre) and Dying City (Gatehouse).
Twitter/Instagram/TikTok: @MischiefComedy
YouTube: @MischiefTheatre
Twitter/Instagram: @playgoeswrong
Facebook: The Play That Goes Wrong
LISTINGS
MANCHESTER Opera House
30 May – Sat 4 June
BOX OFFICE 0333 0096690 | atgtickets.com/manchester
NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal
6 – 11 June
BOX OFFICE 0191 232 7010 | theatreroyal.co.uk
Original cast are performing 30 May – 11 June only, and the full cast will not perform all dates:
- Charlie Russell performs Monday, Friday and Saturday evening performances
- Henry Shields will not perform on 9 June (2pm)
- Nancy Zamit will not perform on 3 June (7.30pm)
FURTHER UK TOUR DATES
SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
Until 7 May
BOX OFFICE 0343 310 0030 | cliffspavilion.co.uk
LEICESTER Curve
9 – 14 May
BOX OFFICE 0116 242 3595 | curveonline.co.uk
BIRMINGHAM The Alexandra
16 – 21 May
BOX OFFICE 0333 0096690 | atgtickets.com/birmingham
LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre
23 – 28 May
BOX OFFICE 0333 0096690 | atgtickets.com/liverpool
CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre
13 – 18 June
BOX OFFICE 029 2063 6464 | wmc.org.uk
PLYMOUTH Theatre Royal Plymouth
27 June – 2 July
BOX OFFICE 01752 267222 | theatreroyal.com
BRISTOL Hippodrome
4 – 9 July
BOX OFFICE 0333 0096690 | atgtickets.com/bristol
SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre
11 – 16 July
BOX OFFICE 0114 249 6000 | sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
HULL New Theatre
18 – 23 July
BOX OFFICE 01482 300 306 | hulltheatres.co.uk
MILTON KEYNES Theatre
25 – 30 July
BOX OFFICE 0333 0096690 | atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
DARTFORD Orchard Theatre
1 – 6 August
BOX OFFICE01322 220000 | orchardtheatre.co.uk
GUILDFORD Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
8 – 13 August
BOX OFFICE 01483 44 00 00| yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
CAMBRIDGE Arts Theatre – ONSALE SOON!
Tue 16 – Sun 21 August
BOX OFFICE 01223 503333 | cambridgeartstheatre.com
WEST END
THE DUCHESS THEATRE
Booking until April 2023
Box Office: www.theplaythatgoeswrong.com / 0330 333 4810
Running time:
2 hours including an interval
Age:
8+
Please note children under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years of age.
Mischief Theatre Ltd. was founded in 2008 by a group of acting graduates of LAMDA and began as an improvised comedy group. Mischief performs across the UK and internationally with original scripted and improvised work and also has a programme of workshops. The company is owned and controlled by its original members and is led by a creative group and its directors Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer.
Pre pandemic, Mischief had multiple productions playing in New York and London. The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre, which re-opened 18 June 2021), The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (which played at the Criterion Theatre for four years) and following a record-breaking two-year run on Broadway it was represented Off Broadway by The Play That Goes Wrong (New World Stages since 2019, re-opened October 2021, co-produced with Kevin McCollum and JJ Abrams). In September 2019 the company started a West End residency at the Vaudeville Theatre with Groan Ups followed by Magic Goes Wrong. Magic Goes Wrong returned to the West End for a strictly limited run at The Apollo Theatre from October 2021. Other Mischief productions, including Peter Pan Goes Wrong, regularly tour the UK, USA and worldwide.
In 2017 Mischief Theatre Ltd. and Kenny Wax & Stage Presence, the producers of all the company’s West End productions, formed Mischief Worldwide Ltd. to manage the rights to all Mischief projects in all artforms. Mischief Worldwide Ltd., based in London, licenses copyrights, trademarks and other Mischief properties to producers, distributors, publishers and others around the world.
Mischief was first seen on television in the Royal Variety Performance of 2015 and subsequently in two BBC One Christmas specials, Peter Pan Goes Wrong (2016) and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong(2017). In 2018 Mischief Worldwide Ltd. and the Anthology Group formed Mischief Screen Ltd., an independent TV production company headed by CEO Hilary Strong. Their Royal Television Society award-winning BBC One series The Goes Wrong Show aired in December 2019 with a Christmas special, further episodes in early 2020, and a hit Nativity special last Christmas. The second series aired in September 2021 on BBC One and iPlayer where the gang tackled a Downton-esque family saga and a US-style prison break drama, with predictably disastrous results.
All the companies develop, create and perform under the single name of Mischief. Mischief is developing new works of comedy for theatre, TV, film and other media.
www.mischiefcomedy.com Mischief®, Mischief Theatre®, The Play That Goes Wrong® and ® are trademarks and registered trademarks of Mischief Worldwide Ltd.