“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is a Hilarious Ode to the Mishaps of Amateur Theater

Photo by Jeremy Daniel

(REVIEW) If you have been involved in live theater before, then you know how easily the show can go not as planned. Props are forgotten, lines are mixed up, sound cues are missed and someone is inevitably a little under the weather. These experiences are rather frustrating but also a big reason why live theater is so endearing. And to an unsuspecting audience, they are rather hilarious.

Following their 2017 success on Broadway with “The Play That Goes Wrong,” the British comedy group “Mischief” returns to Broadway this month with a new show that also explores how a live performance can fall apart on the stage. “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is a classic re-staging of J.M. Barrie’s iconic fairytale about the boy who never grew up where everything that can go wrong—does.

The mishaps begin innocently enough: a forgotten line, a malfunctioning stage light, but as the evening progresses, things go (quite hilariously) from bad to worse.

The show’s cast, the same from the “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” London premiere, is a truly talented group of comedians. Their timing and execution of each gag build wonderfully as they not only poke fun at the on-stage faults of amateur theater but also reveal a little of the backstage moments and camaraderie that make it such a magical experience. By the end of the show, we’re rooting for Max (Matthew Cavendish), an actor sidelined to a supporting role as he dreams of playing Peter Pan to impress his crush (Charlie Russell). And, when Peter Pan (Greg Tannahill) suffers an unfortunate accident while flying over the stage, the love-struck actor might finally get his big break.

Directed by Adam Meggido, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is a finely tuned engine with just enough moments to suspend our disbelief in the genuineness of the onstage mishaps. But this doesn’t mean a few of the more juvenile gags don’t become tiresome. Most of the humor is surprisingly clever: the improv with audience members is well executed, and the use of actors portraying backstage crew on the stage adds a new dimension to what “goes wrong.” There are a few eye-rolls mixed into the jokes as well, but after viewing this show, I am convinced that “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” writers, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, sat in on my own high school drama experiences to create such a realistic disaster.

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is a roaringly funny evening of entertainment and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better night of comedy in the theatre district this spring. As a plus, if you visit the show before the end of April, you’ll also be treated with Broadway legend Neil Patrick Harris in a starring guest role. For fans of Harris’ comedic work, you will not be disappointed with his ability to lean into the clever absurdity of this show.

“Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is currently running at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre through July 9, 2023.

Eli Johnson is the Theatre Columnist for the Empire State Tribune. He is a sophomore at The King's College majoring in Business. He is an avid theatre-goer and always enjoys a game of chess.