THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Welcomes John Rapson To The Mayhem
I once tripped over a prop lamp during a drama class performance, nearly sending the rest of the set tumbling like dominoes. In that moment, mortified as I was, a little voice in my head whispered: “If only this were a comedy, people would be roaring with laughter!” And that’s precisely the magic of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG—a show where every mishap, slip-up, and collapsing piece of scenery is a glorious source of hilarity.
Even if you’re not naturally prone to taking pleasure in onstage blunders, there’s something irresistible about THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. Created by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, the piece invites you to witness a fictitious university drama society attempting (and failing spectacularly) to stage a 1920s murder mystery. Think of it as the theatre world’s ultimate domino effect: once one prop wobbles, everything and everyone topples in a giddy, laugh-inducing avalanche.
The track record speaks volumes. Since its humble beginnings in London in 2012, the production has journeyed to the West End—where it snatched an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy—then hopped across the pond to Broadway in 2017, and finally settled into its current Off-Broadway home at New World Stages in 2019. In each incarnation, audiences have been left breathless from giggling at the slapstick havoc. So if you’ve yet to see an actress get stuck in a window while an entire set crumbles beneath her, this might be your ideal introduction to the unbridled silliness that live theatre can deliver.
John Rapson Joins The Chaos
As if the show’s comedic meltdown wasn’t enough, the latest nugget of news brings fresh excitement. John Rapson, an alumnus of Broadway’s Sweeney Todd and Les Misérables, is stepping into the Off-Broadway cast. Rapson will be playing Robert from 14 February to 16 March, adding a fresh dynamic to an already riotous ensemble. Known for his deft comedic timing in big-stage musicals, he’s bound to bring an extra spark of mischief to the role.
He’ll be joining a cast that includes Trevor Braun as Dennis, Ashley N. Hildreth as Annie, Julian Robertson as Trevor, Chris Lanceley as Chris, Adam Petherbridge as Max, Chris French as Jonathan, and Maggie Weston as Sandra. Meanwhile, understudies Damien Brett, Laura D’Andre, Brandon Haagenson, and Jemma Jane stand ready to leap onstage at a moment’s notice—fitting, really, for a show about unplanned calamities.
A Mismanaged Murder Mystery
So how do you intentionally orchestrate utter disaster? Part of the brilliance lies in the creative team’s precision. Directed by Mark Bell, the show’s comedic timing hinges on everything from stumbling footsteps to perfectly timed pyrotechnic failures (all designed to appear painfully accidental). The set is the brainchild of Nigel Hook, whose scenic illusions have to buckle and break with clockwork exactness. Roberto Surace’s costumes toe the line between period authenticity and comedic functionality—though, by curtain call, you’ll be wondering how on earth the actors keep their outfits intact amidst the tumble.
Further heightening the chaos are Jeremy Cunningham’s lighting design (based on the original by Ric Mountjoy) and Beth Lake’s sound design (stemming from Andrew Johnson’s original). Both amplify the comedic tension—think flickering lights and thunderously over-the-top sound effects. Matt DiCarlo, the current director, takes up the reins to ensure the show’s collisions, pratfalls, and shattered illusions remain impeccably choreographed.
A Quirk You Might Not Expect
We often assume comedic mayhem is all about spontaneity, but the real surprise lies in how meticulously staged each mishap is. Every misplaced prop, every collapsing beam, must happen at exactly the right time—or the comedic chain reaction won’t land. Cast members rehearse stunts repeatedly to prevent actual injuries, so the illusions of falling sets and near-catastrophes remain just that—illusions. It’s the height of theatrical craftsmanship disguised as amateur blundering, which paradoxically requires more discipline than many “serious” dramas.
Likewise, the comedic style is undeniably British at its core—self-deprecating, farcical, and hyper-aware of classically “polite” presentation. The slightest break in character can topple the entire comedic effect. So while the script markets itself as a fiasco, the performance is a masterclass in comedic control. That sense of paradox is what keeps audiences hooked: you’re watching an extraordinary number of “mistakes” played out with razor-sharp precision.
Book Your Seat And Brace Yourself
When it comes to theatre, accidents can be mortifying—but in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, they’re elevated to a hilarious art form. And with John Rapson storming into the role of Robert, expect even more uproarious moments than usual. If you’ve never experienced a night in the realm of intentional theatrical catastrophe, now’s your chance to embrace the madness. After all, nothing unites an audience faster than collectively watching the cast narrowly avoid disaster—only to gleefully succumb to it moments later.
So mark the dates, gather your bravest friends, and prepare for an evening that will have you in stitches. After seeing this show, you might just reconsider every onstage slip as a golden opportunity to share a hearty laugh—because sometimes, the most dazzling successes arise from utter, unbridled chaos. And in the world of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, chaos is exactly the point.
