The Goes Wrong Show

Did You Know?

• On 3 April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mischief Theatre began a watch-along of episodes on Twitter with the hashtag #GoesWrongAlong, starting with '90 Degrees' at 7pm.
• The first series was released on DVD by Lionsgate Home Entertainment UK on 10 February 2020.

Cast

Henry Shields plays Chris Bean, the pedantic director struggling to keep the play on track. Henry Lewis portrays Robert Grove, an actor who believes acting is about presence and volume and often feuds with Chris over lead roles. Jonathan Sayer is Dennis Tyde, an actor given small roles due to his poor memory and misinterpretation of directions. Dave Hearn plays Max Bennett, whose acting varies but is generally poor and hammy. Charlie Russell appears as Sandra Wilkinson, an actress who overacts and seeks to impress. Bryony Corrigan plays Vanessa Wilcock-Wynn-Carroway, an actress prone to accidents and unable to improvise. Nancy Zamit is Annie Twilloil, a reluctant performer often cast as old women or men. Chris Leask plays Trevor Watson, the stage manager who avoids being seen while fixing mistakes. Greg Tannahill portrays Jonathan Harris, an actor who struggles to be noticed due to set mishaps. Ellie Morris plays Lucy Grove, an actress with stage fright worsened by her uncle Robert's harsh training.

Production

After the BBC aired successful adaptations of Peter Pan Goes Wrong and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, they ordered a series from Mischief Theatre. The show, announced in February 2019, was greenlit by Shane Allen and Charlotte Moore. A second series followed, starting with a 2020 Christmas special and five episodes in 2021. The first series was taped at dock10 studios in Salford.

Reception

The first series received generally positive reviews. Radio Times' Huw Fullerton called it a laugh-out-loud project. Tim Dowling of The Guardian praised its farce and behind-the-scenes effort. Ian D. Hall of Liverpool Sound and Vision named 'A Trial To Watch' one of the finest farces on television. Michael Hogan of The Telegraph described it as 'Mrs. Brown's Boys but funny.' Steve Bennett of Chortle said the mistakes were pulled off with flair. Suzi Feay of the Financial Times gave five stars. Negative reviews came from Lottie Young of the Evening Standard, who called the first episode 'embarrassingly bad,' and Rupert Hawksley of i News, who found the script 'dreadful.'