The Play That Goes Wrong storms into Wellington’s Opera House as part of its 10th Anniversary New Zealand tour, and it delivers exactly what the title promises: glorious theatrical disaster, executed with expert precision.

From the very first moments, the set itself becomes a character. Designer Nigel Hook’s 1920s manor house setting feels sturdy enough — until it decidedly doesn’t. Doors refuse to open, mantelpieces collapse at the worst (or best) possible moments, and an entire upper floor threatens to fall on the unsuspecting cast. The audience is in on the joke from the outset, and each structural failure is met with roars of laughter. The brilliance of the design lies in its timing — what looks accidental is meticulously choreographed, the collapsing chaos perfectly matching the escalating panic of the performers.

Costumes, designed by Roberto Surace, lean into the period murder mystery aesthetic, offering a wonderful contrast to the madness unfolding. Crisp waistcoats, an elegant gown, and detective trench coats all serve to ground the cast in the world of 1920s drama — even as that world falls apart around them. The costumes remain mostly intact (unlike the set), adding to the comedy as the performers soldier on in their increasingly disheveled finery.

I have to say, the “Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society” appears to be doing rather well for themselves — such an elaborate set and lavish costumes! Though, judging by the evening’s events, I suspect they may have skimped a little on the labour and materials.

The cast shines as they navigate the play-within-a-play: Jonathan Martin plays Chris Bean (who is cast as Inspector Carter), valiantly attempting to keep the show afloat while breaking the fourth wall with ever-growing desperation. Jack Buchanan (understudy for Joe Kosky)steps in for Robert Grove (whose character plays Thomas Colleymore) and handles the escalating mayhem with aplomb. Brodie Masini’s Jonathan (playing the supposedly deceased Charles Haversham) steals many laughs as he struggles to stay “dead” amid the madness.

The ensemble — Tom Hayward as Dennis (playing Perkins), Stephanie Astrid John as Sandra (playing Florence Colleymore), Sebastiano Pitruzzello as Max (playing Cecil Haversham and Arthur the Gardener), Olivia Charalambous as Annie (the long-suffering stage manager pressed into the play), and Eds Eramiha as Trevor (the harried lighting and sound operator) — deliver faultless comedic performances, balancing slapstick with deadpan earnestness. Each actor embraces their role-within-a-role with precision, leaning fully into the chaos without ever losing control of the craft.

It’s a masterclass in timing, physical comedy, complicité and sheer theatrical delight. Every mishap — whether it’s a collapsing wall or a wayward prop — is delivered with flawless precision. The energy never falters, and the audience is in constant fits of laughter. That said, after 25 years working in theatre, I have to confess my stomach was in absolute knots at times — the onstage disasters felt a little too familiar and of course these two amazing wahine had to literally fight over the one female role. I’m going to need to work on re-burying those memories.

The Play That Goes Wrong is faultless fault-filled theatre. It’s a perfect night out for seasoned theatre-goers and first-timers alike — just don’t expect everything to go according to plan.

[Please note: Robert Grove (Thomas Colleymore) is played by Jack Buchanan for this performance, with Joe Kosky returning later in the week.]

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