Mischief, the award-winning creators of The Play That Goes Wrong, are returning to the stage with a brand-new musical comedy, THESPIANS. Premiering at Mercury Theatre Colchester in May 2026 before a limited 9-week UK tour, this riotous Ancient Greek adventure promises laughter, music, and mayhem as it reimagines the birth of theatre itself.
Written by Jonathan Sayer (co-writer of The Play That Goes Wrong) and Ed Zanders (musical director Mischief Movie Night), THESPIANS is an uplifting, hilarious, and timely reminder of the power of empathy and stepping into someone else’s sandals.
Ancient Greece Meets Musical Mayhem
Step into the amphitheatre, leave your troubles in the foyer, and escape into Ancient Greece as it bursts into song, with a thrilling plot, a love story worthy of Aphrodite, and enough laughter to fill the Acropolis.
534 BC. Greece’s smallest island is battling to avoid defeat in a nationwide prayer competition set up by a thin-skinned tyrant – where the loser is put to death. All is going dreadfully until Thespis accidentally invents acting, leading to the world’s first play and the origins of theatre as we know it!
“Full of Heart, Great Songs and Laughter”
Commenting on the announcement, Mischief’s Jonathan Sayer says:
“I’m absolutely delighted that Thespians will be touring the UK next year. I’ve always loved musicals and it’s been a total joy to co-write one, especially with such a skilled composer as Ed. I think the show is full of heart, great songs plus the laughter and mayhem that you’d expect in a Mischief show! We can’t wait to share it with audiences next year.”
2026 UK Tour Dates Announced
THESPIANS will make its world premiere at Mercury Theatre Colchester from 9-23 May, followed by runs at:
The Mercury Theatre, Colchester: Sat 9 – Sat 23 May
Theatre Royal Bath: Tues 26 – Sat 30 May
Wyvern Theatre, Swindon: Tues 2 – Sat 6 June
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford: Tues 9 – Sat 13 June
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham: Tues 16 – Sat 20 June
New Theatre, Cardiff: Tues 23 – Sat 27 June
HOME Manchester: Tues 7 – Sat 18 July
Casting will be announced at a later date.
THESPIANS is presented by HOME Manchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester, and JPT Productions.
More information can be found at ThespiansMusical.com.
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