'Christmas Carol Goes Wrong' review — a highly entertaining festive feast of silliness and slapstick

Read our review of Mischief's new comedy Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, now in performances at the Apollo Theatre to 25 January 2026.

Summary

• Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is the latest comedy show by hit company Mischief
• The show puts a slapstick spin on the Charles Dickens classic
• Daniel Fraser is a standout as the critical director Chris Bean
• The cast also features Henry Lewis battling to play Scrooge and Chris Leask as the sardonic Trevor

For those whose idea of a perfect festive show is silliness and slapstick, a show by Mischief is a very good place to start. Written by company co-founders Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong expands on their 2017 BBC special, revisiting Cornley Amateur Drama Society as they attempt to stage Dickens’s classic.

We are backstage at the Cornley Playhouse and director Chris Bean is holding auditions for A Christmas Carol. Assistant Annie thinks everyone is marvellous, technical manager Trevor sees no harm in lights falling off the rig during auditions, Dennis cannot remember a single line, and Robert will stop at nothing to play Scrooge. There’s a major issue with the set, a van has crashed through the back of the theatre, and there are only six actors to play 32 roles. What else could possibly go wrong?

As ever, this is a strong ensemble cast, directed with energy by Mischief stalwart Matt DiCarlo. There is a palpable connection in the team which is reflected by the solid onstage rapport. Daniel Fraser is as critical and rude as ever as Chris Bean; his increasing exasperation is clear to see as the show literally falls down around him. Henry Lewis is underused but on top form as wannabe thespian Robert, who battles with Chris for the starring role.

Nancy Zamit is brimming with enthusiasm as the well-meaning Annie (a role shared with Dumile Sibanda), Sasha Frost is a voice of calm as Sandra, and Greg Tannahill is full of nervous energy as the psychologically fragile Jonathan. Chris Leask is very effective as the sardonic Trevor, who insists on playing the silent Ghost of Christmas Future as Scottish.

Libby Todd’s detailed set takes us from the technical backstage to the staging of the show, complete with Dickensian street scenes, Scrooge’s office, and a gargantuan, demonic Tiny Tim who ends up eating Scrooge himself.

Mischief fans will delight in revisiting these much-loved characters and some well-orchestrated slapstick comedy. There are very funny moments, such as the reveal of an enormous Maltesers box mistakenly added as part of the set design, Annie as a manically hip-thrusting Ghost of Christmas Past, and Robert dressed as a giant wrapped present as the Ghost of Christmas Present who is unable to see anything from inside his box.

Amid the madness and fun, some of the jokes are not up to Mischief’s usual standard, with more smiles than belly laughs. The recurring gag of actor Dennis having to read his lines from stickers on various parts of the set quickly feels repetitive. The misbehaving Kelly Kitchen as an unexpected part of the set of Fred’s house has more comic potential than it is given, and some of the verbal comedy is not as slick as other Mischief shows.

But for fans and newcomers alike, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is loveably silly, raucous, and highly entertaining.

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is at the Apollo Theatre to 25 January 2026. Book *Christmas Carol Goes Wrong* tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (Photos by Mark Senior)