Casting has been announced for the Australian premiere of the festive fiasco Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, which will fill HOTA – Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, with joy and laughter from 1 – 12 December and the Sydney Opera House from 17 – 29 December 2026.
The cast includes Douglas Hansell who recently appeared in Pretty Woman as Philip Stuckey. Returning to the ‘Goes Wrong’ universe are The Play That Goes Wrong favourites Joe Kosky, Brodie Masini, Anthony Craig and Jack Buchanan; joining the Mischief family are Zak Vasiliou, Melanie Bird, Jess Rogers, Michael Howlett, Tim Carroll, Marlena Thomson and Manon Gunderson-Briggs.
The Cornley Amateur Drama Society return to tackle the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, with the best of intentions, but a growing feud over who will play Ebenezer Scrooge, plus mishaps with the set and props, lead to Christmas chaos for the merry company.
A hilarious take on the much-loved seasonal story, this brilliantly chaotic farce promises a generous helping of frivolity and fun – the perfect festive indulgence for audiences this Christmas.
From Mischief, the Tony and Olivier award-winning team behind The Play That Goes Wrong – the longest running comedy on the West End, which celebrated its 10th anniversary with a sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House in 2025 – Christmas Carol Goes Wrong premiered at London’s Apollo Theatre last Christmas playing an 8-week sold out West End season.
Written by original Mischief company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, and directed by Matt DiCarlo, a local cast of comedic talent from Australia and New Zealand will join this special presentation.
Beginning with a strictly limited season on the Gold Coast at HOTA (Home of the Arts) followed by Sydney at the Sydney Opera House, the production will be simultaneously presented in London and Los Angeles, while also embarking on its second UK tour.
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is presented by GMG Productions and Stoddart Entertainment Group in agreement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd.
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
HOTA – Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Season: 1 – 12 December 2026
Information and Bookings: www.hota.com.au
Concert Hall – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Season: 17 – 29 December 2026
Information and Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
For more information about Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, visit: www.christmascarolgoeswrong.com.au for details.
Image: Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (Original UK Company) – photo by Mark Senior