Overview
Synopsis
The Play That Goes Wrong begins before the curtain has even been raised, as the audience are present while the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society prepare to stage their new production – the 1920s murder mystery 'Murder at Haversham Manor'. However the set is not yet complete and there is no time to finish it off…..the show must go on!
With a murder (and a moving corpse) established from the beginning, the murder mystery gets into full flow. However, the props start to disappear, actors go missing and the set begins to collapse around, and often on, the cast. Mayhem ensues, the acting gets worse, and the set becomes increasingly dangerous, but the company struggle on regardless. The question is whether any of the cast and crew will remain standing, or conscious, by the final curtain?!
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Context
The Play That Goes Wrong was conceived and written by three graduates of LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). They formed ‘Mischief Theatre’ company, specializing in scripted and improvised comedy. The Play That Goes Wrong first premiered at the London fringe venue, Old Red Lion Theatre, in 2012 before moving to Trafalgar Studios the following year. The show proved a huge critical and popular success, and it embarked on a UK tour before moving into the Duchess Theatre in
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Act One
Before the play begins, the stage crew of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are making last minute adjustments to the set. However, they run out of time fixing the mantelpiece and are forced to take it off stage with them. Chris, the head of the drama company, announces the commencement of the murder mystery, “Murder at Haversham Manor”, missing his spotlight as he does so. He alludes to their previous, disastrous attempts at putting on productions and the hilarious casting
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Lead
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in The Play That Goes Wrong.
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Monologues
Scenes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
The Fragility and Illusion of Theatrical Performance
This central theme explores how live theater relies on precise coordination, illusion, and the willing suspension of disbelief, yet remains perpetually vulnerable to human error and technical failure. The motif of the collapsing set (walls falling, doors jamming, mantels collapsing, and eventually the entire backdrop tumbling in a nod to Buster Keaton) symbolizes the artificiality of stage reality and how easily the "fourth
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The area behind the stage and out of sight from the audience, used by performers and crew during a production.
The imaginary wall separating the audience from the actors onstage, often 'broken' for direct address. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
The theatre professional responsible for creating the lighting plan that enhances the mood, visibility, and focus of a performance. The lighting designer collaborates closely with the director and technical team to ensure seamless integration of lighting with the production's vision.
Meta-theatre refers to drama that draws attention to itself as a play, reminding audiences that they are watching a performance. This may include breaking the fourth wall, plays-within-plays, or showing the mechanics of stagecraft. By highlighting its own theatricality, meta-theatre often creates humor, irony, or deeper reflection.
A form that emphasizes movement over dialogue, blending dance and drama for expressive storytelling.
Slapstick is a type of physical comedy that relies on exaggerated actions, pratfalls, and humorous accidents to provoke laughter. It often includes broad movements, funny sound effects, and comic violence, such as someone slipping on a banana peel or being hit with a harmless object. The style originated in commedia dell’arte and became popular in vaudeville, silent film, and stage comedy.
The person who organizes all aspects of a production, coordinating communication, cues, and logistics.
Wit in theatre refers to the quick, clever use of language to create humor or reveal deeper truths about characters and situations. It often relies on sharp wordplay, irony, or unexpected turns of phrase to keep audiences engaged. Wit is commonly found in comedies and serves both to entertain and to highlight human flaws in a lighthearted way.
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher