New musical Thespians from the creators of The Play That Goes Wrong to tour the UK in 2026

Mischief Theatre, the creators of long-running West End comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, have announced their first musical – Thespians.

In their first ever musical comedy, Mischief Theatre attempt to rewrite ancient history with Thespians: Greece The Musical (But Not That One), which is heading out on tour in 2026.

The tour starts at the Colchester Mercury Theatre on the 9 May, and then visits Bath, Swindon, Guildford, Cheltenham, Cardiff, and Manchester. See all tour dates & info.

Thespians is billed as an uplifting, hilarious, and timely reminder of the power of empathy and stepping into someone else’s sandals.

The show is set in 534 BC, as 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!

The show is written by Jonathan Sayer, co-writer of The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, and Ed Zanders, musical director of Mischief Movie Night.

Thespians: Greece The Musical (But Not That One) is produced by Mischief, with HOME Manchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester & JPT Productions.

Jonathan Sayer said in a statement: “I’m absolutely delighted that Thespians will be touring the U.K. 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.”

More about tickets to Thespians

Thespians: Greece The Musical (But Not That One) – 2026 Tour Dates

Colchester – Mercury
Sat 9 – Sat 23 May 2026

Bath – Theatre Royal
Tue 26 – Sat 30 May 2026

Swindon – Wyvern Theatre
Tue 2 – Sat 6 June 2026

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
Tue 9 – Sat 13 June 2026

Cheltenham – Everyman Theatre
Tue 16 – Sat 20 June 2026

Cardiff – New Theatre
Tue 23 – Sat 27 June 2026

Manchester – HOME
Tue 7 – Sat 18 July 2026

More Mischief Comedy

Founded in 2008, Mischief has become a global comedy phenomenon with a slate of hit productions including Peter Pan Goes Wrong, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Magic Goes Wrong, Groan Ups and Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle. The company also created the BBC series The Goes Wrong Show.

Their acclaimed, long-running West End comedy The Play That Goes Wrong recently extended its run at the Duchess Theatre in London, and is now booking to 31 January 2027.

This Christmas in the West End, Mischief are also bringing their festive comedy Christmas Carol Goes Wrong to the Apollo Theatre, from 6 December 2025 to 25 January 2026.

Thespians: Greece The Musical (But Not That One)

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