The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre Review (2024)

The Play That Goes Wrong 2024 production image. Photo by Matt Crockett

Written by Annie for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

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In a forever changing theatre scene, there are few moments to sit back and celebrate the pillars which remain constant in the West End. We’re spoiled for choice with new shows constantly arriving, and often staying only for limited runs, so when a show manages to break away from the norm and become a notable player, there’s no choice but to celebrate its rare achievement. 

Last night saw the 10th anniversary of The Play That Goes Wrong in the West End. Arriving quickly after a sell-out run at the Old Red Lion Theatre pub, and briefly at The Trafalgar Theatre, the play took residency in The Duchess Theatre, where it has been playing ever since. It has in the past years managed to be both the longest running show at that theatre, as well as the longest running comedy currently in the West End. 

The play - Co-written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, and directed by Mark Bell - follows a regional am dram’s opening night performance and quickly falls into a rather lengthy series of unfortunate events. I must admit that this was my first viewing of the play. I’d seen it on the Royal Variety Show back in 2015 and ignorantly assumed I’d seen it. With so many shows rushing out of the West End almost as quickly as they arrive, there’s always an excuse as to why others perhaps take priority over the ones you know are there for a while. 

However, last night proved how flawed that logic is. 

The play is a farce on steroids. Once you think you’ve seen it all, it becomes even more audacious. It truly is pure genius, the perfect mix of farce and slap-stick humour, the team behind ‘Mischief Theatre’ has created something that in theory seems so obvious but is just so magnificent you can’t help but laugh yourself silly. 

Read more: Interview with Jonathan Sayer, Co-creator of The Play That Goes Wrong

We were treated to special anniversary night extras - with all of the previous casts returning to celebrate the occasion - as well as many making on stage appearances throughout the show. It was obvious the sense of community which comes with this show, and how dearly it’s held to so many people’s hearts. It was a real honour to be a part of the mischievous fun!

The current cast are wonderfully chaotic - as to be expected. The current West End lineup stars Daniel Anthony as Dennis, Joe Bolland as Jonathan, Daniel Fraser as Chris, Owen Jenkins as Robert, Billie Hamer as Annie, Jordan Akkaya as Trevor, Jay Olpin as Max, and Hannah Sinclair Robinson as Sandra. They masterfully ensure the continuity of their characters’ most lovable traits, whilst breathing new air into them. There are so many ‘easter eggs’ to this show, that you’d struggle to not enjoy a second, or even a fifteenth viewing without finding more hilarious gimmicks. 

The Play That Goes Wrong (despite its name) embodies everything that is right with British theatre. It celebrates our love for humour and satire, whilst bringing an audience together. Truly being the ultimate lighthearted relief, there’s no question as to why audiences continue to visit and revisit this show. It feels rather safe to say that this show is not going anywhere anytime soon - here’s to the next ten years!

At Duchess Theatre until 1 February 2026.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★