A Spanish-language comedy in which an amateur drama company opens its mystery play and everything that can go wrong does. La función que sale mal is the Madrid staging of the Olivier Award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, described by its producers as Monty Python meets Sherlock Holmes.
What it is
The setting is a theatre within a theatre: an amateur company is staging the opening night of its own mystery play, and nothing on stage cooperates. The cast is accident-prone and spends the whole performance fighting one mishap after another. By the production's own count, the actors take 19 knocks per show and something breaks at every performance.
The play premiered in London in 2012, created by the company Mischief Theatre, and won the 2015 Olivier Award for best comedy. It has since drawn more than 8 million spectators, spent two seasons as Broadway's top-grossing comedy and been staged in over 30 countries. The Madrid version is produced by ATG Entertainment, Nearco Producciones, Cobre Producciones and Olympia Metropolitana, and is now in its eighth Spanish season, with more than 1,500 performances behind it.
Why it's worth your time
It has run in Spain for eight seasons, drawing more than 570,000 spectators, and it is designed for every age group. The 100-minute running time has no interval, so the plot builds without a break. The staging is part of the draw too: the Broadway production won a Tony Award for best scenic design, and the set carries as much of the comedy as the cast.
Practical info
Teatro Amaya's box office is open Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 13:30 and from two hours before the first show; closed Mondays. Prices include VAT but not the €2.50 booking fee; selected performances are discounted by up to 25%. The theatre is reached by Metro lines 1 and 7 and EMT buses 3, 5, 16, 37 and 61. Car parks: Martínez Campos 42, Zurbano 68 and Viriato 67.
FAQ
How long is La función que sale mal?
The show runs 1 hour and 40 minutes with no interval. A 20:00 start finishes at about 21:40, and a 17:00 start at about 18:40.
Is La función que sale mal suitable for children?
The production recommends it for all audiences. It runs 100 minutes without an interval, which is worth bearing in mind for younger children. Check the theatre's or ticket seller's entry-age policy when booking.
Is The Play That Goes Wrong in Madrid in English?
No. It is the Spanish adaptation of The Play That Goes Wrong and is performed in Spanish. The official website mentions no English subtitles or surtitles, so non-Spanish speakers should check with the theatre before booking.
How much are tickets for La función que sale mal in Madrid?
Official prices run from €26 to €39 depending on the seating area at Teatro Amaya: €26 to €36 from Tuesday to Thursday and €29 to €39 from Friday to Sunday. VAT is included, but the €2.50 booking fee is not.
Are there discounts or group tickets for La función que sale mal?
The official site advertises discounts of up to 25% on selected performances, shown in the ticketing calendar, and has a dedicated page for group bookings. Tuesday to Thursday seats also cost €3 less per area than Friday to Sunday ones.
