Thespians

From MISCHIEF, the award-winning creators of The Play That Goes Wrong, comes THESPIANS — a brand-new musical comedy that hilariously rewrites ancient history.

534 BC. Greece’s smallest island faces disaster in a nationwide prayer contest run by a dangerously sensitive tyrant — where losing means death. Hope seems lost until Thespis accidentally invents acting, sparking the world’s first play and the birth of theatre itself!

Audiences are invited to step into the amphitheatre and journey to Ancient Greece for a riotous blend of music, mischief, and myth. Expect a heartwarming love story, toe-tapping tunes, and enough laughter to echo across the Acropolis.

THESPIANS is a joyful, clever, and side-splitting celebration of empathy, imagination, and the timeless art of performance.

Written by Jonathan Sayer (The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery) and Ed Zanders (Mischief Movie Night), this is the ultimate ancient remedy for modern-day gloom — packed with comedy, chaos, and choreography to delight mortals of every age.

The 12-week limited tour begins May 2026, opening at Mercury Theatre, Colchester. If you thought something funny happened on the way to the forum, wait until you see what unfolds on the road to the amphitheatre!

Venue: New Theatre