Cover Henry Shields in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
Henry Shields in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
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Beloved homegrown Filipino actor Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante stars in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ in Manila. Learn more about this play and why it is a must-see
Principal casting is officially set for the Manila premiere of the Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, which will run at The Theatre at Solaire from November 6 to 22. Manila-based Filipino actor Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante leads the production as Sandra, joining a global company of performers from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In a major step for theatrical accessibility, the season will also feature a dedicated Filipino Sign Language (FSL) interpreted performance, an initiative that involves both The Play That Goes Wrong and the upcoming 2027 staging of Heathers the Musical.
Read more: ‘Heathers the Musical’ makes its Manila debut in January 2027
Mikkie Bradshaw-Violante joins the cast of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ as Sandra for its Manila run
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Bradshaw-Volante takes on the role of Sandra, a leading member of the fictional Cornley Drama Society who plays Florence Colleymoore in the amateur company’s increasingly disastrous 1920s murder mystery. Carlos Candal, CEO and founder of GMG Productions, expressed immense pride in assembling an international cast around a local artist.
“For GMG Productions, this casting is deeply personal,” Candal said. “Seeing Mikkie, a Filipino artist of extraordinary calibre, who was also a member of our Filipino-led production of Come From Away, and who brings such a hilarious, unhinged spirit to the stage, stepping into one of theatre’s most iconic roles fills us with pride.”
Read more: ‘Chicago’ brings Broadway’s razzle-dazzle back to Manila
Above Main poster for the Manila run of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’
Main poster for the Manila run of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’
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He added that bringing her together with world-class performers was a foundational goal for the company. “If this company were any more international, we’d need subtitles; luckily, the chaos of The Play That Goes Wrong needs no translation at all,” he remarked.
Bradshaw-Volante brings over 15 years of stage experience to the demanding comedic role. Following her 2011 professional debut as Liesl in Resorts World Manila’s The Sound of Music, she has built a formidable theatrical resume. Her credits include playing Carrie in Carrie the Musical, Barbara Smith in Run for Your Wife, Annette in the Asian tour of Saturday Night Fever, Medium Alison in Fun Home, Lauren in Kinky Boots, Cynthia Weil in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Johanna in Sweeney Todd. Recently, she portrayed the Baker’s Wife in Theatre Group Asia’s Into the Woods, Antonia in Repertory Philippines’ Man of La Mancha and Raquel in Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Anthropology. Her turn as Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel earned her the Gawad Buhay Award for Female Featured Performance in a Musical.
Above Jonathan Sayer and Henry Lewis in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
Jonathan Sayer and Henry Lewis in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
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Championing theatre accessibility through FSL
As part of GMG Productions’ ongoing efforts to expand access to live entertainment, the November 13 staging of The Play That Goes Wrong will be fully FSL-interpreted. This accessibility initiative will also be implemented for the February 2, 2027 performance of Heathers the Musical. The project is a collaboration with Deaf consultants and FSL interpreters from the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde Center for Education Advancement of the Deaf (CEAD) and the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies–Interpreting Education Program (SDEAS-IEP).
“Live theatre should be experienced by everyone. It is a shared experience, a chance to laugh together, feel something together and be transported by the power of a story and the people bringing it to life. Accessibility is an important part of making that possible,” Candal stated.
Above Nancy Zamit in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
Nancy Zamit in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
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He continued, “We are very happy to offer FSL-interpreted performances of The Play That Goes Wrong and Heathers the Musical, and to welcome more members of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community into the theatre. The Play That Goes Wrong is a joyful, wonderfully chaotic show, while Heathers the Musical brings its own bold, darkly comic energy to the stage”.
A dedicated orchestra seating section with clear sightlines to both the stage and the interpreters has been allocated for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audiences and their companions.
An international cast and the Mischief phenomenon
Above Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
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Created by Mischief’s Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong follows an earnest theatre troupe attempting to stage a classic whodunit, The Murder at Haversham Manor. As opening night unfolds, the company faces collapsing sets, disappearing props, forgotten lines and perfectly timed theatrical disasters.
Directed by Hannah Sharkey, the Manila production features a globally assembled cast. Tom Babbage, an established voiceover artist whose theatre credits include the National Theatre’s The Motive and the Cue, plays Chris. Owen Jenkins, an artistic director for FacePlant Theatre with previous West End credits in the comedy, plays Robert. Sebastiano Pitruzzello returns to the role of Max after performing in the 2025 Australia and New Zealand 10th Anniversary Tour. Liam Horrigan, co-host of the You’re On Tonight podcast, plays Jonathan.
Above Dave Hearn and Henry Lewis in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
Dave Hearn and Henry Lewis in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
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The cast is completed by emerging New Zealand performer Tom Hayward as Dennis, Australian actor and director Olivia Charalambous as Annie and film and television actor Jake Curran as Trevor. The production is supported by an accomplished understudy team, including hip-hop dancer Stuart Vincent, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama alumnus Tom Bulpett and Green Room Award-winning performer Stephanie Astrid John.
The unprecedented global success of The Play That Goes Wrong mirrors the meteoric rise of Mischief Theatre. Since its humble beginnings 10 years ago at London’s Old Red Lion theatre—where it was performed for just four paying customers—the play has won the 2014 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy, the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and a Tony Award for its Broadway transfer. It has been seen by over two million people across more than 30 countries.
Above Jonathan Sayer, Greg Tannahill, Henry Lewis, Dave Hearn and Charlie Russell in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
Jonathan Sayer, Greg Tannahill, Henry Lewis, Dave Hearn and Charlie Russell in Mischief Theatre’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ (Image: courtesy of GMG Productions)
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Founded in 2008 by LAMDA graduates as an improvised comedy group, Mischief has produced a slate of international hits, including Peter Pan Goes Wrong, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Groan Ups, Magic Goes Wrong and Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle. Their unique brand of comedy has also reached television audiences through BBC One specials and the Royal Television Society award-winning series, The Goes Wrong Show.
The comedy joins GMG Productions’ expanding international portfolio, which continues its 2026 season with Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration at The Space at Solaire before launching into 2027 with Heathers the Musical.
Tickets for the Manila run of The Play That Goes Wrong are currently available via TicketWorld. Patrons booking seats for the FSL-interpreted performances can use the promo code ACCESSSEATS to receive a 20 per cent discount, while patrons with a valid PWD ID may avail themselves of standard discounts at physical ticketing outlets.
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Franz writes about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright. But above all this, this Aether main spends more time in Teyvat than anywhere else.
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