Things have gone a bit wrong… In our profile series Tell Us In Ten, we usually ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just ten questions. But this week, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of The Play That Goes Wrong, we’ve found ourselves chatting to eleven cast members who’ve featured in the show since it first opened in 2014!
Keep reading for our special one-off Tell Us In Eleven – The Play That Goes Wrong 10th Anniversary Special 🎈
1. Henry Lewis (Robert, 2014): My route into theatre was…
My route was via my local youth theatre, where I did classes and productions throughout my teenage years. When I was 18 I went to LAMDA in West London and in my first year we studied improvisation. I enjoyed it so much that one day I put a sign up on the notice board saying that if anyone was interested in taking an improv show to the Edinburgh Festival that Summer please come to Room E10 at lunchtime. Thirteen people showed up – and that was the very beginning of what became Mischief!
2. Bryony Corrigan (Sandra, 2015): My West End idol is…
Sheridan Smith. I saw her in Legally Blonde as a treat with my mum, aunt and grandma after my GCSEs and thought she was a superstar! I was already obsessed with her career on TV in sitcoms but to see her on stage was extra-special. A woman from the North killing it too – big inspiration for me.
3. Fred Gray (Trevor, 2016): My colleagues would describe me as…
Hard working, open, honest and funny.
4. Sydney K Smith (Dennis, 2017): My favourite show is…
Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth.
The cast of Jerusalem (2022). Photo by Simon Annand.
5. Matthew Howell (Understudy, 2018): The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Some of the proudest moments of my career have come as an actor in The Play That Goes Wrong. I’ve worked with some amazing people doing the show, made my West End debut, and I was part of the first cast to take the show to New Zealand on tour. I’m very proud to have been able to perform such a fun show in front of friends, family AND the legendary actor Bryan Cranston. After the show he met us all backstage, shook my hand, looked me deep in the eye and (with much gravitas) said “Hey man, great job”. I’m pretty sure that means he’s my friend now and a proud member of the Matthew Howell fan club!
6. Kazeem Tosin Amore (Robert, 2019): My favourite moment where something has gone wrong onstage was…
There was an occasion when, during the pre show, Jake (Chris) and Cathy (Annie) asked a young man if he would be willing to play Winston as a last resort. They playfully suggested that if needed they would come and get him. At the top of the second act, after noticing Bobby (Max) without a dog on his lead, the lad made his way to the stage and began playing Winston! He began barking at the cast on all fours. He was swiftly ushered off the stage and sent a programme which said well done for being the first Winston on a West End stage.
7. Ellie Morris (Sandra, 2020): If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
I’d be an artist!
8. Ciara Morris (Annie, 2021): Something people don’t know about me is…
I’m not a hugely sentimental person, but one of my absolute prize possessions is my pink Casio watch that I wore playing Annie. I begged the amazing costume department to let me keep it as it became a little totem to me! If I’m having a bit of a rubbish day or need a confidence boost, I’ll put it on and it it never fails to make me smile.
9. Jaouhar Ben Ayed (Dennis, 2022): The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Only what is joyful for you is worth pursuing – because only then will you end up being good.
10. Keith Ramsay (Dennis, 2023): My favourite memory of The Play That Goes Wrong is…
There are too many memories to list! I think one that will stay with me forever is: motoring across Waterloo Bridge atop a double-decker bus in the pouring rain, singing songs from Oliver! with the company in full Cornley regalia, and everyone clutching pork pies, ice lollies and scotch eggs. It sounds like a fever dream but it happened!
11. Jay Olpin (Max, 2024): The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Try not to worry! It would be “don’t worry” but it’s sometimes just impossible not to, so “try” would be the key word. Life can be so packed with surprises, both good and bad, but worrying won’t stop them from happening – so there’s just no point. It’ll hopefully work out and if it doesn’t, from my experience, there is always something beautiful around the corner. Like with The Play That Goes Wrong, even when things don’t go to plan you just keep going and something fun – or funny – will come from the solution!
The Play That Goes Wrong celebrates its tenth anniversary this week! With tickets from just £23, there’s never been a better time to see it – book your tickets via OfficialLondonTheatre.com.