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by Jonathan Sayer (Author), Ed Zanders (Author)
If you thought something funny happened on the way to the forum, wait until you hear what happened en route to the amphitheatre!
Mischief, the team behind the multi award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, rewrite ancient history with their first musical comedy, Thespians. Greece is the word. Ancient Greece to be specific. It's the year 534 BC and the entire country has been ravaged by a dreadful drought. Thespis and his sister Poly live on the tiny island of Ikaria where nothing ever really happens, until the entire population (all five of them) are forced to head to Athens to compete in a deadly prayer competition. All hope is lost until Thespis stumbles upon something that will change the world forever. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere UK Tour, opening May 2026 at Mercury Theatre, Colchester.Author Biography
Jonathan Sayer is an Olivier award-winning writer, actor and is the Company Director of Mischief Theatre. His work for Mischief has been performed internationally in over forty countries. Training: LAMDA. Theatre credits: The Play That Goes Wrong (Broadway, West End & UK/International tour - winner of Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2015 and What's On Stage Awards 2014), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (BBC1, West End/UK tour/Pleasance London - nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2016), The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (West End - nominated Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards 2017), Mischief Movie Night/Lights! Camera! Improvise! (The Arts Theatre and UK tour - nominated for Best New Comedy at The Olivier Awards 2018 and winner of Spirit of the Fringe Award 2013). Television credits: The Goes Wrong Show (BBC1), Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (BBC1), Peter Pan Goes Wrong - TV adaptation (BBC1), We Are Most Amused & Amazed - Prince Charles 70th Birthday Celebration (ITV), Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Keep It in the Family (ITV - writer only). Radio credits: The Christmas Show That Goes Wrong (BBC R2).
Ed Zanders is a London based composer and musical director. Trained in classical composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, he has worked internationally on various projects as an MD, improviser and composer.
