Review: Christmas Carol Goes Wrong at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

★★★★★

Playing at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in the lead up to this festive season, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is a play written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, and directed by Matt DiCarlo. The chaotic Christmas show is created by Mischief Theatre who are known for their comedic productions including The Play that Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong.

In this yuletide take on the classic Dickensian tale, A Christmas Carol, the fictitious Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are attempting to stage an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ play. Soon though, proceedings descend into disorder as amateurism and personal rivalries take centre stage.

The show opens with ‘auditions’ followed by ‘pre-production planning meetings’, during which audiences are given clues of what will come when the play within the play begins, and everything that could possibly go wrong does go wrong; falling props, amusing costume malfunctions (Roberto Surace), and of course, that dangerous thing they forgot to discuss. This foreshadowing ensures that laughter can be found not only in what is currently happening on stage but also in the anticipation of what is around the next corner.

“The show must go on, no matter the human cost.”

Starring: James Akka, Adam Elliott, David Hearn, Matthew Howell, Aein Nasseri, Luke Pierre, Dumile Sibanda, and Ashley Tucker, this skilled group of performers take on a script filled with silly puns and caricatures of amateur actors. The cast brilliantly tackle physical comedy, slapstick moments, and stunt gags, to elicit laugh after laugh from start to finish in this fun production. 

Alongside the sharp acting, it is the incredible set design that enables much of the comedy moments in this production. Libby Todd’s imaginative set creates disaster after disaster in realistic looking scenarios and ridiculously sublime elements, some of which the audience are anticipating while others are hilarious surprises.

Carefully and cleverly crafted chaos, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is the perfect way to open the wrappings of the Christmas season. A festive folly full of merry mayhem and comedic cheer, the show offers a thoroughly entertaining theatre experience. 

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong plays at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 14th November 2026 with tickets for many nights now limited availability. The production also plays at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre in 2027.

This review is written following a press invite to the show. 

Article includes affiliate links that support Midlands Rainbow.