Mischief Theatre Announces Full Cast for First Ever Musical: Thespians

Mischief Theatre, the company that gave the world The Play That Goes Wrong, is about to take an exciting leap into entirely new territory. Full casting has just been revealed for Thespians: Greece The Musical (but not that one), the company's first ever original musical. The production premieres in Colchester next month before embarking on a UK tour running through to July 2025.

Written by Mischief co-founder Jonathan Sayer, with music and lyrics by Ed Zanders, this new comedy musical promises to deliver the anarchic, laugh-out-loud energy that has made Mischief one of the most successful theatre companies of the past decade. Presented by HOME Manchester, JPT Productions and Mercury Theatre Colchester by arrangement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd, Thespians represents a major new chapter for the group.

What Is Thespians About?

Set in 534 BC on a small Greek island, the musical follows a ragtag group of bards who find themselves facing an impossible challenge: winning a high-stakes prayer competition or suffering defeat. In their desperate attempts to avoid losing, they stumble upon something entirely unexpected, and accidentally invent the art of acting itself.

It is a premise that feels perfectly suited to Mischief's brand of comedy. The company has built its reputation on chaotic, metatheatrical humour that lovingly satirises the world of theatre, and a show about the literal birth of drama offers rich comedic possibilities. Fans of Mischief's previous work can expect the same blend of physical comedy, sharp writing and gleeful absurdity, now amplified with original songs and choreography.

The Full Cast and Creative Team

The newly announced cast brings together a talented ensemble of performers. James Spence takes on the role of Thespis, the character at the heart of this comedic origin story (the historical Thespis is widely credited as the first actor in Western tradition). He is joined by Claire-Marie Hall as Poly, Luke Latchman as Atlas, Marc Pickering as Adonis, Matt Cavendish as Bard, Mia Jerome as Melampus, and Rhys Taylor as The Tyrant. Allie Dart takes on the dual role of Rhapsodes and dance captain, while the ensemble is completed by Ashley Tucker, Josh Patel-Foster and Curtis Patrick.

Behind the scenes, the creative team is led by director Robyn Grant, with design from Jasmine Swan, choreography by Melody Sinclair-Marsh, lighting design by David Howe, and sound design by Nick Lodge. Musical direction comes from Ben Smith, with associate direction by Joe Allen. Casting was handled by Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShane, and the executive producer is Mischief co-founder Henry Lewis.

Mischief's Journey from Farce to Musical Theatre

The creation of an original musical marks a significant evolution for Mischief Theatre. The company burst onto the scene in 2012 with The Play That Goes Wrong, a farcical comedy about an amateur dramatic society's disastrous attempt to stage a murder mystery. That show transferred to the West End, where it became one of London's longest-running comedies, and spawned multiple spin-offs and international productions, including Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.

Mischief has since expanded into television with the BBC's The Goes Wrong Show and continued to produce new stage work, including Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (a separate venture closely associated with the Mischief family). However, Thespians represents the first time the company has created a fully scripted, scored original musical from the ground up. The involvement of Jonathan Sayer as writer, one of the original Mischief ensemble members, ensures the show's comedic DNA will be authentically rooted in the company's distinctive style.

Ed Zanders, who provides the music and lyrics, faces the exciting challenge of crafting songs that serve both the comedy and the narrative. Given that the show's plot revolves around the accidental invention of performance itself, audiences can likely expect numbers that playfully explore what it means to entertain, to pretend, and to tell stories.

UK Tour Dates and Venues

Thespians opens with its world premiere run at the Mercury Theatre Colchester from 9 to 23 May 2025. The production will then head out on a UK tour with confirmed stops at several prominent regional venues:

• Theatre Royal Bath
• Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
• Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
• Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
• New Theatre Cardiff
• HOME Manchester

The tour runs through to July. Further dates and venues may yet be announced, and given Mischief's track record of shows transferring and expanding their runs, a strong reception could well lead to additional engagements or even a West End transfer further down the line.

Should You Book?

If you are a fan of Mischief Theatre's work, this is an unmissable opportunity to see the company break new ground. The combination of Mischief's proven comedic pedigree with the energy and spectacle of musical theatre could produce something truly special. As a world premiere, catching the show on its initial tour also offers the rare thrill of seeing a production before anyone else, and potentially witnessing the birth of the next big Mischief hit.

Tickets for the Colchester premiere and subsequent tour dates are expected to sell quickly given the strength of the Mischief brand. If you are near any of the tour venues, securing seats early would be wise. For those based in London, keep an eye out for any potential West End transfer announcements later in the year.

For more on what's coming to stages across the UK and in London's West End, browse our full list of current and upcoming shows. If you love comedy on stage, you might also want to check out The Play That Goes Wrong, still going strong in the West End, or explore our selection of the best musicals currently booking.