Trainee director (The Play That Goes Wrong)

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 3rd March 2026 12pm

Salary: £750 per week pro rata

Location: London

Contract Type: Part-time with some full-time periods, fixed term

Dates of Employment: 22 April 2026 - 02 June 2026

Probationary Period: None

Responsible To: General Manager

Kenny Wax Productions and Mischief Theatre are recruiting for a talented and enthusiastic Trainee Director to join The Play That Goes Wrong for our 2026 rehearsal period during our 12th year in the West End.

At Mischief, we are serious about silliness. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to break free from the shackles of everyday life and escape with us to a world of carefully choreographed chaos, merry mishaps and timeless comedy – we call it ridiculous escapism. We take our work very seriously, but never ourselves. We believe that collaboration is the key to success, and we consider ourselves purveyors of the ridiculous. We are looking for someone who shares these values, and is open to trying new approaches and letting their imagination go wild in our shared quest to make people laugh.

The Trainee Director position is an opportunity for a new/early career director to gain professional experience working on a Mischief show. The Trainee Director will support the Director, Associate Director and Resident Director in overseeing the rehearsal period and providing directorial support to maintain the quality of the West End production. This is an opportunity for a new career director to observe and learn alongside some of the Mischief team and get a feel for how we work. While this is a short-term role, there is a potential for this to develop into further opportunities across Mischief shows. The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in the UK.

We are a company that offers a work culture that nurtures and encourages personal and professional development. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in our sector. We welcome applications with a range of experiences, including those looking to take their first step in the commercial sector.

What you'll be doing

• Learning the show from the Director, Associate Director and Resident Director and attend the rehearsal room throughout the re-cast period.
• Being a pro-active member of the Directing Team, and to support the wider team.
• Carrying out scheduling and administrative tasks during rehearsals to support the Directing Team as necessary.
• Conducting show watches and attending rehearsals where necessary.
• Ensuring the safest possible working environment at all times, and to ensure Health and Safety procedures and practices are adhered to as directed by the Production and Stage Management teams.
• Working collaboratively with all other departments to ensure the smooth running of the production.
• Contributing proactively and positively towards maintaining the wellbeing of the cast and wider company.
• Any other reasonable duty reflected in a trainee position

What we are looking for

Essential

• An enthusiasm for comedy and productions with elements of farce, clowning and/or improvisation.
• Respectful approach and consideration of others, bearing in mind the potentially sensitive nature of directing.
• A team-player with proven leadership experience.
• The ability to work closely with actors and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.
• A calm and practical approach to technical trouble-shooting.

Desirable

• Awareness of current Health & Safety legislation including COSHH is desirable but not necessary.
• Previous experience working with stunts/flying is useful but not necessary.

To apply, or for further information, please send a CV and one-page Cover Letter outlining your interest and suitability in the role by 12pm on Tuesday 3rd March. There will be 2 interviews for this position.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.