Yesterday, my daughter and I headed into the West End for our annual visit to the theatre. Previous visits include Matilda and Frozen. This year, I decided it was time to watch The Play That Goes Wrong after hearing good reviews about the show. From the moment we stepped into the Duchess Theatre, we knew we were in for something delightfully chaotic.
Date Visited: 9th August 2025.
Location: Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, London WC2B 5LA.
Getting There: We travelled by train into Charing Cross, followed by a short 10 minute walk to the theatre. You can also bus or tube it there, with Temple and Covent Garden being the closest Underground stations.
Cost: Tiered pricing depending on where you want to sit. We chose the Stalls, row G near the centre, which were c.£80 per ticket. Random question – why don’t theatres offer children and concessionary prices?
So wrong, but so good
The show is a masterclass in comic disaster. It’s a murder mystery performed by a fictional drama troupe where everything that could possibly go wrong… does. Set pieces collapse, lines are flubbed, actors get knocked out (repeatedly). The whole production teeters on the edge of total collapse, in the most brilliantly orchestrated way.
Photo credit: Mischief Comedy
Both of us were in hysterics from the first scene. It was one of those rare shows where the humour lands for both adults and teens. Clever enough for grown-ups, silly enough to keep younger minds engaged, and packed with physical comedy that had us both nudging each other in disbelief. To be honest, haven’t, I haven’t laughed out loud like that for a while! It wasn’t only us, the entire theatre was engaged and laughing as well.
What struck me most was how much fun we had simply sharing the experience. Between the laughter and the whispered “Did you see that?” moments, it was a reminder of how good it feels to step away from screens and schedules and just enjoy something together.
If you’re looking for a show that’s fast-paced, family-friendly, and guaranteed to leave you smiling, The Play That Goes Wrong is a brilliant choice. Just be warned: you may find yourself quoting lines and reenacting the scenes all the way home. Damn it, Perkins!
Top tips:
- Arrive about 15-20 minutes earlier if you can, there is a ‘soft-opening’ to the show with some audience interaction!
- The front row may be in the splash-zone for the ‘whiskey’ so choose your seats wisely.
- Like most theatres, there are booster seats and cushions for the shorter children as seating isn’t as raked as some.
