The Play That Goes Wrong
Mischief Theatre's slapstick farce about a disastrous amateur murder mystery — broken sets, missed cues, and chaos.
- Theatre
- New World Stages
- 340 W 50th St, New York, NY
- Opened
- February 20, 2019
- Run time
- 2h
About The Play That Goes Wrong
Mischief Theatre's Olivier Award-winning production, *The Play That Goes Wrong*, brings its unique brand of slapstick and farce to New World Stages. This Off-Broadway sensation, which originally opened in February 2019, invites audiences to witness a theatrical train wreck in the most entertaining way possible. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempts to stage a 1920s murder mystery, “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong, does. From collapsing sets to missed cues, and from forgotten lines to演員 mishaps, the play descends into glorious, side-splitting chaos.
*The Play That Goes Wrong* is a masterclass in physical comedy and intricate comedic timing. The script, penned by Mischief Theatre members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, builds a world where every unfortunate event is meticulously choreographed for maximum comedic impact. Audiences can expect to be thoroughly entertained by the sheer resilience (and incompetence) of the amateur dramatics troupe as they battle against increasingly insurmountable odds to simply complete their performance. The humor is broad and accessible, relying on visual gags, character-driven blunders, and a relentless pace that keeps the laughter coming.
Playing at New World Stages, a prominent Off-Broadway complex located at 340 W 50th St, New York, NY, *The Play That Goes Wrong* offers a vibrant and intimate theatrical experience. The venue itself is a hub for high-quality Off-Broadway productions, providing a fitting home for a show that has captivated audiences worldwide with its innovative approach to comedic theater. Those looking for an evening of lighthearted fun and uproarious laughter will find *The Play That Goes Wrong* to be an ideal choice, immersing them in a world where the pursuit of theatrical perfection spectacularly fails, much to the audience's delight. The production’s enduring popularity speaks to its universal appeal and its ability to deliver pure, unadulterated comedic joy.
Seeing The Play That Goes Wrong live
What attending this kind of production is like
Theatre rewards attention to the room. Sound carries differently, entrances and exits are part of the staging, and the audience's collective quiet is something a recording cannot reproduce.
Seat position changes what you notice rather than only how well you see. Front-of-orchestra seats give you faces and detail but a steep angle on staging; further back and one level up you gain the full picture and choreography, which many productions are designed around.
The performance you choose matters too. Weeknight, matinee and weekend performances tend to draw different audiences, and casting can vary between performances in ways published by the production rather than by us.
Timing is unforgiving in theatre. Curtain times are firm, latecomers are seated at the house's discretion, and interval length is set by the production — so build the evening around the published start time.
Last reviewed 2026-09-08
The Play That Goes Wrong ticket buying guide
Understanding theatre seating language before you compare offers
Learn the vocabulary of the house you are attending. Orchestra or stalls seating sits at stage level; mezzanine, dress circle or balcony levels rise behind or above it. The same words describe different geometry in different theatres, so read the specific venue's layout.
Sightlines matter as much as distance. Overhangs, side angles and safety rails affect what you can see, and a well-placed seat further back often beats a cheap seat at an extreme angle.
Choose the performance deliberately. Matinees, weeknights and weekends differ in atmosphere and availability, and any casting information should come from the production itself.
Compare all-in totals for the exact number of seats you need, and check whether the seats you are considering are genuinely adjacent.
Last reviewed 2026-09-08
The Play That Goes Wrong ticket questions
Where is The Play That Goes Wrong currently performing?
This page shows only venue and city relationships we have verified and stored. It does not assert a current production location or run, and it does not publish performance schedules.
What is the difference between orchestra, mezzanine and balcony?
Orchestra (or stalls) seating is at stage level, mezzanine or dress circle sits above and behind it, and balcony levels are higher still. Each trades proximity for a fuller view of the staging, and the exact geometry is set by the theatre.
Will performance dates appear here?
Only when they are verified. Until then the inventory section stays empty rather than showing dates we cannot confirm.
Last reviewed 2026-09-08
Upcoming performances & tickets
Verified ticket inventory will appear here when available.
Frequently asked questions
- What is *The Play That Goes Wrong* about?
- *The Play That Goes Wrong* is a slapstick farce about an amateur drama society attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery. As the title suggests, everything that can possibly go wrong during their performance does, leading to a comedic series of mishaps and chaos.
- Where is *The Play That Goes Wrong* playing?
- *The Play That Goes Wrong* is playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages, located at 340 W 50th St, New York, NY.
- How long is *The Play That Goes Wrong*?
- The runtime for *The Play That Goes Wrong* is approximately 120 minutes.
- Who created *The Play That Goes Wrong*?
- *The Play That Goes Wrong* was created by Mischief Theatre, with the script written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields.
- Is *The Play That Goes Wrong* suitable for all ages?
- The show is widely considered suitable for a general audience due to its physical comedy and lack of inappropriate content, though specific age recommendations can vary from venue to venue.