Taking the HOTA stage, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong had Gold Coast audiences in hysterics. As the longest-running comedy in London, this must-see, comedic extravaganza is one for the whole family to enjoy.
Returning to Australia and New Zealand for the 10th Anniversary Tour and presented by GMG Productions and Stoddart Entertainment Group, The Play That Goes Wrong promises the delivery of comedic gold. This brilliant display of choreographed chaos can only be described with one word… genius.
Written by a trifecta of theatrical masterminds, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong follows the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery. To put it simply, everything that could go wrong does. Props misbehave, sets collapse, lines are botched, yet actors push through with amusing determination.
Originally directed by Mark Bell, The Play That Goes Wrong transforms a classic whodunnit into a textbook case of ‘the show must go on.’ Now in the hands of Resident Director Nick Purdie, with support from Associate Director Anna Marshall, this iconic play feels more alive than ever.
Before the play even begins, audiences are swept into a whimsical yet wild atmosphere. Accompanied by a colourful soundtrack, actors climb through the audience in search of a lost dog – the perfect foreshadowing, priming the audience for the mayhem ahead.
The eight-strong ensemble delivers a performance that is undeniably enthralling. Their flawless timing and coordination turn each disaster into a perfectly executed piece of comic brilliance.
Each actor approaches their role with infectious energy and detail, embodying characters as compelling as the chaos they navigate. They balance playful madness with genuine depth, the ensemble turning every tragedy into a captivating performance.
Sebastiano Pitruzzello delivers a mesmerising performance as Max, an inexperienced actor who wildly overacts every moment. His comedic mishaps and naivety – including enthusiastically applauding along with the audience – are hysterical.
Yet, Pitruzzello’s performance transforms this deliberate incompetence into a showcase of skill and impeccable timing. The result is a winning performance that perfectly captures the spirit of the play.
A standout moment that reflects the play’s slapstick charm occurs midway through Act One when Sandra, played by Stephanie Astrid John, is accidentally knocked out by a door. In her absence, stage crew member Annie, played Olivia Charalambous, is dressed in a wig, lipstick and red dress and thrown on stage as a replacement.
Unfamiliar with the lines, she hilariously fumbles through the performance, script in hand, openly reading aloud stage directions and asides. The commotion continues when Sandra returns, creating a battle for the spotlight. This adds a brilliantly funny layer to the play’s already comical madness.
The set in The Play That Goes Wrong serves as a ninth actor and is one of – if not the most- integral role in the play. Every malfunction is expertly choreographed to amplify the comedic chaos, drawing the audience further into the craziness. Nigel Hook’s original set design puts this play in a league of its own, showcasing a level of theatrical craftsmanship that is undeniably genius.
Ric Mountjoy’s original lighting design, complemented by Resident Designer Jason Bovaird, powerfully enriches hysterical moments of drama and comedy. Their design lights the way through ‘seamless’ transitions – which, in true The Play That Goes Wrong fashion, tend to veer off-script.
Capturing the distinctive style of the 1920s, Roberto Surace’s original costume design is perfected right down to the sideburns, moustaches and bobbed wigs. These playful touches contribute to some of the production’s most memorable moments, enhancing the unpredictable nature of the play’s calamities.
The Play That Goes Wrong is a masterful piece of laugh-out-loud theatre. It has no mercy, leaving audiences in stitches from start to finish. This unmissable play is a work of comedic art – and a ticket guarantees fun you won’t forget.
The Play That Goes Wrong ran at HOTA on the Gold Coast from 6 – 10 August 2025. It kicks off in Toowoomba tonight. Full tour dates are below.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://playgoeswrong.com/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/playgoeswrongaunz/
Photo credits: Jordan Munns
2025 Australian Tour Dates
Gold Coast 6 – 10 August, HOTA, Home of the Arts
Toowoomba 12 – 15 August, Empire Theatre
Newcastle 19 – 30 August, Civic Theatre
Melbourne 3 – 28 September, Athenaeum Theatre
Port Macquarie 23 – 25 October, Glasshouse Theatre
Canberra 29 October – 2 November, Canberra Theatre Centre
Perth 7 – 16 November, Regal Theatre Subiaco
