SEATTLE REP "The Play That Goes Wrong" August 28 - September 28, 2025 Opening Night Review
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
By Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer
Directed by Damaso Rodriguez
Seattle Rep
Seattle, WA
Opening Night Review: September 3rd, 2025
Here we are for the 2025/2026 season at the Seattle Rep. The first production is none other than, “The Play That Goes Wrong”. This is a show that I’ve heard many times over but I have actually never seen any version of it so I was looking forward to opening night.
The show is a play within a play where the fictional Cornley Drama Society are putting on a production of the murder mystery, “The Murder At Haversham Manor”. Things go awry basically from the get go and the audience is in on the joke from the very beginning.
Even before the play started, cast member(s) were setting the stage by acting like their characters (for example the stage manager) and incorporating an audience member before the curtain rose.
The sheer amount of timing that went into this show was truly a marvel to behold. There is physical comedy all throughout the show as well as set pieces that fall, drop, disintegrate, and border on a circus like quality. There was never a dull moment in this production and it was almost a miracle that no one was seemingly hurt during the performance.
The actors were all so on top of their game that their level of professionalism just added to the overall quality of the show. There were absolutely no weak links in this cast. None. They were all amazing to watch.
The audience near me was either grinning, laughing, or actually snort laughing. Yes, for some patrons it was that funny.
For me the slapstick elements worked really well in the first act. If you like that brand of comedy, you will love this play. However, for me in the second act I was already getting a bit tired of the constant comedic elements. Don’t get me wrong the show was still done exceptionally well but I suppose I have my limits when it comes to nonstop slapstick comedy.
Overall, “The Play That Goes Wrong” is the perfect opening season show for the Seattle Rep. It’s light, very funny, and professionally done. It’s worth seeking out!
By Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer
Directed by Damaso Rodriguez
Seattle Rep
Seattle, WA
Opening Night Review: September 3rd, 2025
(Ian Bond, Darragh Kennan, and Setareki in The Play That Goes Wrong (2025) at Seattle Rep. Photo by Bronwen Houck.)
Here we are for the 2025/2026 season at the Seattle Rep. The first production is none other than, “The Play That Goes Wrong”. This is a show that I’ve heard many times over but I have actually never seen any version of it so I was looking forward to opening night.
The show is a play within a play where the fictional Cornley Drama Society are putting on a production of the murder mystery, “The Murder At Haversham Manor”. Things go awry basically from the get go and the audience is in on the joke from the very beginning.
Even before the play started, cast member(s) were setting the stage by acting like their characters (for example the stage manager) and incorporating an audience member before the curtain rose.
The sheer amount of timing that went into this show was truly a marvel to behold. There is physical comedy all throughout the show as well as set pieces that fall, drop, disintegrate, and border on a circus like quality. There was never a dull moment in this production and it was almost a miracle that no one was seemingly hurt during the performance.
(Members of the cast of The Play That Goes Wrong (2025) at Seattle Rep. Scenic Design by Tom Buderwitz. Costume Design by Melanie Taylor Burgess. Photo by Bronwen Houck.)
The actors were all so on top of their game that their level of professionalism just added to the overall quality of the show. There were absolutely no weak links in this cast. None. They were all amazing to watch.
The audience near me was either grinning, laughing, or actually snort laughing. Yes, for some patrons it was that funny.
For me the slapstick elements worked really well in the first act. If you like that brand of comedy, you will love this play. However, for me in the second act I was already getting a bit tired of the constant comedic elements. Don’t get me wrong the show was still done exceptionally well but I suppose I have my limits when it comes to nonstop slapstick comedy.
Overall, “The Play That Goes Wrong” is the perfect opening season show for the Seattle Rep. It’s light, very funny, and professionally done. It’s worth seeking out!
Recommended!
“The Play That Goes Wrong” runs through September 28th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
“The Play That Goes Wrong” runs through September 28th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
(Chris Murray, Ashley Song, and Chip Sherman in The Play That Goes Wrong (2025) at Seattle Rep. Photo by Bronwen Houck.)
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