THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG SHOW & CHARACTER OVERVIEW

Synopsis:

Broadway’s funniest disaster hits the Market stage! Welcome to opening night of THE MURDER AT HAVERSHAM MANOR… but nothing is going according to plan. The set is falling apart, props are missing, and the actors can’t seem to stay upright — or remember their lines. By the end of the evening, you’ll be crying with laughter as this “play within a play” completely collapses into chaos. This Olivier Award–winning comedy has been called “Monty Python meets Sherlock Holmes” and will have you gasping for air from nonstop laughter.

Casting Notes:

• This farce is physically demanding and will require physical comedy, fighting, and comedic peril.
• The set does fall apart, so there will be detailed tech processes ensuring cast and crew safety.

Production Information:

Director: David Veatch (Puffs)

Performance Dates: January 30-February 9, 2026

Rehearsal Start Date (Approximate): November 15, 2025

Performance Location: Market Theatre

Rehearsal Location: Market Theatre & Anderson Arts Center

Detailed Performance Schedule:

Friday, January 30, 2026 at 7:30pm

Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 7:30pm

Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 3pm

Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7:30pm

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 7:30pm

Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 3pm

Monday, February 9, 2026 at 7:30pm

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG – CHARACTERS:

Annie Twilloil

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Femme Presenting

Company's Stage Manager. Also built the set for the performance. American Accent.

Stage Crew

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Any

Cornley Drama Society stage crew

Trevor Watson

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Male Presenting

The company's lighting and sound operator. American accent.

Chris (Or Kris)  Bean

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Considering All Gender Identities

The head of the drama society, directed the play and plays Inspector Carter (an esteemed local inspector brought in to investigate the mysterious circumstances of Charles Haversham's death).

Jonathan Harris

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Male Presenting

Plays Charles Haversham (Deceased. Found dead during his engagement party at the beginning of the play)

Robert Grove

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Male Presenting

Highly serious actor playing Thomas Colleymoore (Charles's old school friend. Finds him dead and suspects murder, setting the events of the play in motion)

Denise Tyme

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Female Presenting

Plays Perkins (Charles' long-time butler and desperate to solve the murder of his employer and friend).

Max Bennett

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Male Presenting

Plays Cecil Haversham (Charles' dim--witted brother. They had a tempestuous relationship with one another, causing concern for the others) and Arthur the Gardener (The gardener at Haversham Manor. Left before the party but provides some important insight into the crime)

Sandra Wilkinson

Age Range: Flexible

Gender: Female Presenting

Plays Florence Colleymoore (Charles' fiancée and Thomas' sister. She harbors a secret that could make her a suspect in his murder investigation)