The Play That Goes Wrong
Duchess Theatre
£25
Venue
3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA
The Duchess Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, London, located in Catherine Street near Aldwych. The theatre opened on 25 November 1929 and is one of the smallest West End theatres with a proscenium arch.
Photos via Google. Attributions: Toni McMorris, Nigel B, The Hungry Foodie, Cathy Levan
Current attached shows
1
Google rating
4.7 ★ (4.4k)
The Duchess theatre opened on 25 November 1929 with a production of Tunnel Trench by Hubert Griffith. To fit the size of the site (one of the smallest ‘proscenium arched’ West End theatres), the stalls were built below street level. Its next production, The Intimate Revue has the dubious honor of the shortest run in West End history after the show closed without completing its first performance. In 1934, J B Preistley joined the management of the theatre, and oversaw the production of his plays Eden End, Cornelius, and Time and the Conways.
One of the theatre’s most famous productions was Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, which transferred from the Piccadilly Theatre in 1942. It completed a run of 1,997 performances. The theatre would see further large transfers in between newer work for many years. After the success of Pinter’s The Caretaker (1960) and Bill Naughton’s Alfie (1963), the theatre received the transfer of popular comedy Boeing Boeing in 1965 (where it remained for two years), and Oh Calcutta!, a transfer from the Royalty that remained in residence from 1974-80.
The 1990s continued the theme of successful transfers, with the arrival of Run for Your Wife (completing the final year of its nine-year run), and the National Theatre’s Copenhagen (1999) and Blue/Orange (2001). The theatre still plays host to many great revivals and premieres, as well as being the home for play transfers (the most recent being the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui).
Bakersfield MistThe Wind In The WillowsUntold Stories, Fences, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2013)
Written on the Heart, The Hurly Burly Show, Our Boys, The Boy with Tape on His Face (2012)
Butley, Ruby Wax: Losing It, The Pitmen Painters (2011)
Morecambe, Ghosts, The Fantasticks, Krapp's Last Tape (2010)
Plague Over England, Collaboration, Taking Sides, Endgame (2009)
The Buddy Holly Story (2007)
Stones in his Pockets (2006)
Man and Boy, The Birthday Party, Glorious (2005)
George Gershwin Alone, Coyote on a Fence, Little Women (2004)
Zipp, Through the Leaves, Betrayal (2003)
Life After George, The Glee Club, Via Dolorosa, Damsels in Distress (2002)
Blue/Orange, Alone it Stands (2001)
Box office closed · opens 10am
These are the box office (ticket desk) hours supplied by Google. The theatre itself opens around 45 minutes before curtain-up — always check your ticket for the performance start time. You can book online any time through British Theatre.
Tube
Covent Garden, Charing Cross
Train
Charing Cross
Bus
1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77A, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341
Parking
NCP Drury Lane, Chinatown (Q Park Scheme), Single yellow lines in Russell Street.
ATT Stair Climber available. Advance notice required.
Are there adapted toilets?
An adapted toilet is available in the stalls
Are there facilities for the hard-of-hearing?
There is an infrared system working throughout most of the auditorium (Not Available first three rows and boxes) with both loop and conventional headsets (10 headsets available).
Are guide dogs and/or hearing dogs permitted?
Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium if seating in an aisle seat or box. Staff can also dog-sit for two dogs maximum.
Please contact the theatre directly for further information.
Duchess Theatre
£25
Duchess Theatre
Duchess Theatre
The Duchess Theatre is a lovely, small venue with really friendly staff, and The Play That Goes Wrong is absolutely brilliant. The cast are hilarious, the timing is spot‑on, and the whole show has the audience laughing nonstop. A genuinely fun, feel‑good night out that’s well worth it.
I recently visited the Duchess Theatre in London for The Play That Goes Wrong, and let me tell you, this place was amazing. From the moment I walked in, the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, instantly putting this clearly-not-a-local at ease. The theatre itself is beautiful, classic, intimate, and full of old-world charm, with ornate details that make you feel like you’re about to witness something special (or spectacularly disastrous, given the show). The seating and sightlines were fantastic, making it feel cozy without ever feeling cramped. And the play? Absolutely hysterical. Nonstop laughter, perfectly timed chaos, and physical comedy that somehow manages to be both outrageous and razor-sharp. It’s an absolute must-see, even if you think you know what’s coming, trust me, you don’t. As a bonus, the theatre’s close proximity to the Tube was a dream, especially for someone not from London. Walk out, turn a corner, and you’re basically back underground, no stress, no confusion, no accidental sightseeing detours. 10/10 would absolutely come back for the beautifully choreographed disasters on stage.
Small intimate theater, but overall an amazing play! This is the 3rd play we have seen here in London, and is our favorite! The humor is peak British comedy. I loved the cast and the storytelling of the play. In conclusion, it is a must see for any travelers.
Small and intimate theatre. Went to watch “The play that goes wrong” and it was incredibly funny. We were in the stalls, on the 3rd row, on the left and view was fantastic. Nice staff.
Reviews sourced from Google Maps.
The current production at Duchess Theatre is The Play That Goes Wrong. Browse and book tickets directly through British Theatre.
The nearest tube station is Covent Garden, Charing Cross.
Duchess Theatre is located at 3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA.
You can call Duchess Theatre on 0330 333 4810. For tickets and bookings, please use British Theatre to secure the best seats.
The Duchess Theatre box office (ticket desk) operates: Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Right now the box office is closed · opens 10am. The theatre itself opens around 45 minutes before curtain-up — and you can book online any time through British Theatre.
Duchess Theatre offers wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, wheelchair-accessible toilets. Please contact the venue directly if you have specific access requirements.