In the Olivier Award- and Tony Award-winning comedy phenomenon The Play That Goes Wrong, theatrical mishaps are central to the entertainment. What begins as an amateur theater group’s attempt to stage a classic murder mystery quickly devolves into collapsing sets, disappearing props, missed cues, and forgotten lines.
Presented by GMG Productions in association with Mischief Worldwide Ltd., this international hit will run at The Theatre at Solaire from November 6 to 22, 2026, bringing its signature physical comedy and choreographed chaos to Manila.
The show’s journey is as remarkable as the disasters it portrays. Created by Mischief’s Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, it debuted at London’s Old Red Lion theater with just four paying audience members. Since then, it has become a global sensation, earning WhatsOnStage, Olivier, and Tony Awards and entertaining more than two million theatergoers across over 50 countries.
At the heart of the story is the fictional Cornley Drama Society, which is determined to stage a 1920s whodunit titled The Murder at Haversham Manor. As calamity strikes, the cast presses on, turning every blunder into comedy. The production’s success hinges on meticulous execution. Every mishap is precisely timed and intricately staged, celebrating the essence of live theater while showcasing the discipline required to make chaos appear effortless.
Behind every theatrical disaster, someone is desperately trying to maintain control. In The Play That Goes Wrong, that responsibility partially falls on Trevor, the increasingly exasperated lighting and sound operator portrayed by British actor Jake Curran, who becomes entangled in the society’s escalating misfortunes from his technical desk.
As the stage manager caught in the chaos, Annie Twilloil faces the challenge of keeping the show on track. Australian actor and director Olivia Charalambous portrays Annie, adding another layer of comic mayhem. Having previously played the role across Australia and New Zealand in 2015, her return to the Mischief family brings both familiarity and physical precision.
Chris Bean leads the ill-fated production, determined to maintain control as his murder mystery unravels. British actor Tom Babbage plays Chris, whose ambition to deliver a flawless performance is tested at every turn. With experience in classical theater, comedy, screen, and voice work, Babbage adds depth to the dual role of director and leading actor.
Every murder mystery needs a central figure, and Charles Haversham fills that role. British actor and writer Liam Horrigan embodies Jonathan Harris (who portrays Charles), anchoring a story where every dramatic moment goes awry. Having appeared in the show’s West End and UK tour productions, Horrigan brings a deep familiarity with Mischief’s distinctive brand of comedy.
British actor Owen Jenkins plays the dual roles of Robert Grove and Thomas Colleymoore, bringing strong stage presence and precise comic timing. With experience in traditional theater, immersive productions, and audio storytelling, his West End background gives him a firm grasp of the production’s signature physical comedy.
New Zealand actor Tom Hayward plays Dennis Tyde and Perkins, joining the ensemble as their murder mystery spirals into disaster. Having made his professional debut as Dennis during the show’s 2024 Australia and New Zealand tour, Hayward returns for Manila with firsthand experience in Mischief’s intricate stagecraft.
Manila-based actor, singer, and host Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante brings local star power to the international ensemble as Sandra Wilkinson (who plays Florence Colleymoore). With more than 15 years of stage experience, an extensive musical theater background, and award-winning performances, Bradshaw-Volante adds Filipino talent and dynamic comic energy to the production.
For Australian actor Sebastiano Pitruzzello, playing Max Bennett (who portrays Cecil Haversham) marks a full-circle moment. Returning to the production that launched his professional stage career following the show’s 2025 Australia and New Zealand 10th Anniversary Tour, Pitruzzello brings renewed energy to an ensemble navigating misplaced props and collapsing scenery.
Behind the scenes, understudies Tom Bulpett, Stephanie Astrid, and Stuart Vincent ensure the show continues smoothly, ready to step into demanding roles at a moment’s notice.
Leading the chaos is director Hannah Sharkey, whose extensive background with Mischief makes her exceptionally qualified to infuse the Manila staging with signature theatrical mayhem. Recognized as “One to Watch” in StoneCrabs’ Emerging Directors Programme, Sharkey specializes in physical comedy. Having served as Resident Director for the West End production and directed replica stagings in Portugal and Mexico, she brings deep familiarity with the show’s intricate stagecraft, ensuring each timing maximizes comic impact.
Manila-based sound designer D Cortezano creates the production’s auditory landscape, ensuring every cue enhances the onstage comedy. As Resident Technical Director of Areté at Ateneo de Manila University and a faculty member at Ateneo Fine Arts and Guang Ming College, Cortezano combines technical proficiency with creative storytelling.
Joining them is Manila lighting designer Jason Bovaird, whose work establishes the atmosphere, guides audience focus, and amplifies the comedy through collapsing sets, unexpected entrances, and perfectly timed mishaps.
Costume designer Roberto Surace adds a vibrant layer of character and visual personality. Set against a 1920s backdrop, the costumes define the characters and reinforce the contrast between the traditional whodunit and the chaos unfolding onstage.
At the center of the visual mayhem is the innovative set design by Tony Award winner Nigel Hook. His creation transforms a traditional country house into a marvel of theatrical engineering, where collapsing walls, malfunctioning doors, shifting furniture, and rogue props turn structural failures into carefully choreographed blunders.
Beyond the laughter, GMG Productions is committed to making the Manila engagement accessible. A special performance on November 13, 2026, will include Filipino Sign Language (FSL) interpretation for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing theatergoers, developed in collaboration with professional FSL interpreters and Deaf consultants from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde CEAD and SDEAS-IEP.
A dedicated orchestra section will provide clear sightlines to both the stage and the interpreters. Theatergoers can use promo code ACCESSSEATS online for a 20% discount, while valid PWD ID holders can enjoy standard discounts at physical TicketWorld outlets.
With its blend of physical comedy, inventive stagecraft, and unpredictable mayhem, The Play That Goes Wrong demonstrates that even when everything seems to go wrong, it comes together with extraordinary precision. With newly released orchestra seats starting at PHP 1,000, audiences have just three weekends left to catch the show at The Theatre at Solaire, through November 22, 2026, in Parañaque City. Tickets are available through TicketWorld at ticketworld.com.ph.
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