A complete guide to Mischief Theatre shows in the West End

Find out more about the leading British drama troupe, the brains behind hilarious shows like The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About a Bank Robbery.

If you think of comedy plays currently running in the West End, The Play That Goes Wrong probably comes to mind. Mischief Theatre, a British comedy acting troupe, is the mastermind behind these West End hits. They’re not just one trick ponies though — their improvisational shows and TV series have garnered critical acclaim.

The Play That Goes Wrong is Mischief Theatre’s smash-hit play. Since the first performance in 2012, the cautionary tales of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society continue to entertain millions of theatregoers worldwide. Joining The Play That Goes Wrong is a festive run of Mischief Movie Night at Sadlers Wells, while, next year, new show The Comedy About Spies will open at the Noël Coward Theatre. Take a look at the rising career of Mischief Theatre in London, on Broadway, and beyond.

2008: Mischief Theatre is founded

Henry Shields, Henry Lewis, and Jonathan Sayer create Mischief Theatre during their drama foundation course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Shortly after Mischief Theatre is founded, the group perform their first show. The improvisational show Let’s See What Happens runs at the Questers Theatre in Ealing for one week, before moving to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe later that summer.

2009: Lights! Camera Improvise! in London

Mischief Theatre return to the stage with Lights! Camera! Improvise! at the Canal Cafe Theatre in July. Lights! Camera! Improvise! is an improvisational show inspired by films. A month after, they head to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Lights! Camera! Improvise!

2012: Mischief Theatre present their first play

Mischief Theatre’s first play, The Play That Goes Wrong, premieres at the Old Red Lion Theatre in London on 4 Dec. 2012. The Old Red Lion Theatre has a seating capacity of 60. Did you know that The Play That Goes Wrong was originally titled The Murder Before Christmas?

2013: The Play That Goes Wrong moves to central London

The Play That Goes Wrong moves to Trafalgar Studios, with performances from 30 April – 1 June. After a successful first run, The Play That Goes Wrong returns to Trafalgar Studios for a further three weeks, from 2 – 20 July.

2013: Peter Pan Goes Wrong premiere

The Christmas play Peter Pan Goes Wrong premieres at Pleasance Theatre on 10 December. The production then toured the UK the following year.

2014: The Play That Goes Wrong opens in the West End

Mischief Theatre makes their West End debut with The Play That Goes Wrong, moving to the Duchess Theatre. Previews began on 5 Sept. 2014, with an opening night on 14 Sept. 2014.

Book The Play That Goes Wrong tickets on London Theatre.

2015: Mischief Theatre win their first Olivier Award

The Play That Goes Wrong wins Best New Comedy at the 2015 Olivier Awards. The other two shows in their category were Handbagged by Moira Buffini and Shakespeare in Love by Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard, and Lee Hall.

2015: Peter Pan Goes Wrong in the West End

After a national tour, Peter Pan Goes Wrong transfers to the Apollo Theatre. Peter Pan Goes Wrong is the second Mischief Theatre play to open in the West End. Peter Pan Goes Wrong performances run from 4 Dec. 2015 to 26 Feb. 2016.

2016: The Comedy About a Bank Robbery opens in the West End

A new Mischief Theatre play, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, opens at the Criterion Theatre. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery begins previews on 31 Mar. 2016, with an opening night on 21 Apr. 2016. The play was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. The Comedy About a Bank Robbery closed at the Criterion Theatre on 15 Mar. 2020.

2016: Peter Pan Goes Wrong returns

Peter Pan Goes Wrong returns for a second West End Christmas season. Performances are at the Apollo Theatre from 21 October to 29 Jan. 2017.

2016: Peter Pan Goes Wrong on TV

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is the first Mischief Theatre play to be adapted for TV. Peter Pan Goes Wrong is broadcast on BBC One on New Year’s Eve.

2017: Mischief Movie Night opens in the West End

The company return to improvisational shows. Mischief Movie Night runs at the Arts Theatre from 13 Dec. 2016. to 27 Jan. 2017.

2017: The Play That Goes Wrong opens on Broadway

The Play That Goes Wrong opens on Broadway, a Stateside debut for Mischief Theatre. Previews began at the Lyceum Theatre on 9 Mar. 2017, with an official opening on 2 Apr. 2017. The production featured the original London cast, and ran for 772 performances closing on 6 Jan. 2019.

2017: A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong premieres on TV

Inspired by the festive Charles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong airs on BBC One on 30 December.

2019: The Play That Goes Wrong opens off Broadway at New World Stages

After the Broadway run, The Play That Goes Wrong transfers to an Off-Broadway location. Performances begin at New World Stages on 11 Feb. 2019.

2019: Mischief Theatre’s Groan Ups begins West End residency at Vaudeville Theatre

Mischief Theatre begin their year-long residency at the Vaudeville Theatre with Groan Ups. Groan Ups runs from 20 Sept. - 1 Dec. 2019.

2019: Magic Goes Wrong at Vaudeville Theatre

The second play in the year-long residency, Magic Goes Wrong, opens at Vaudeville Theatre. Magic Goes Wrong begins performances on 14 December. The pandemic shuts down performances in March 2020, and the third and final production in the season is never revealed.

2019: The Goes Wrong Show airs on BBC

A television series, The Goes Wrong Show is commissioned by BBC. The first episode airs on 23 Dec. 2019. A second season is commissioned, airing from 27 Sept. 2021.

2020: Mischief Theatre podcast

At the start of the pandemic, Mischief Theatre begins the podcast ‘Mischief Makers’ which focuses on the original Mischief Theatre members.

2020: The Goes Wrong Show: The Nativity airs on BBC One

Mischief Theatre work on a Christmas special based on the Nativity story. The Goes Wrong Show: The Nativity airs as a Christmas special on BBC One on 22 Dec. 2020.

2021: Magic Goes Wrong returns to the West End

Magic Goes Wrong transfers to the Apollo Theatre, with performances from 21 October – 27 Feb. 2022.

2023: Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle in the West End

Henry Lewis reprises his Magic Goes Wrong character in a new show. Mind Mangler follows the title character as they attempt to read the minds of audience members.

2023: Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway

Peter Pan Goes Wrong premieres on Broadway. Peter Pan Goes Wrong begins previews at the Barrymore Theatre from 17 March, with an official opening night scheduled for 19 April, and performances for 16 and a half weeks.

2023: Peter Pan Goes Wrong plays third West End season

The J. M. Barrie hijinks continue in London, with a third West End season. Peter Pan Goes Wrong begins previews at the Lyric Theatre on 23 November, with an official opening night scheduled for 28 November, and performances to 14 Jan. 2024.

2024: Mischief Movie Night returns to London

The improvised show returns to London from 30 July-1 September at the Other Palace, with a cast that includes Henry Shields, Harry Kershaw, Bryony Corrigan, Niall Ransome, Henry Lewis, Rhyanna Alexander Davies, Lauren Shearing, Susan Harrison, Jonathan Sayer, Ellie Morris, Nancy Zammitt, Matt Cavendish, Ruth Bratt, and Josh Elliott.

2024: The Play That Goes Wrong celebrates 10 years in the West End

The Olivier and Tony Award-winning show celebrated 10 years on stage with a special gala performance featuring original cast members and special guests. The Play That Goes Wrong has gone on to play over 3,500 performances at the Duchess Theatre.

2024: Mischief Movie Night returns for limited London season

The show plays at the Lilian Baylis Studio from 18-23 December and 7-12 January 2025, while eight shows will be live streamed around the world from 20-23 December.

2025: The Comedy About Spies opens in the West End

Performances begin on 14 April 2025 at the Noël Coward Theatre. The show follows a British agent who steals plans for a top-secret new weapon. The stakes rise when the CIA and the KGB get involved to retrieve the stolen documents.

Check back for The Comedy About Spies tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk