Murder She Didn’t Write is like any other whodunit: one character dies of suspicious causes, the murderer can only be one of the five characters you’re introduced to, and they all have motives. Except for one small twist: the actors don’t know the plot. Yes, that’s right, Murder She Didn’t Write is completely improvised. In fact, its fate lands in the hands of the audience and one lucky member in particular who’s assigned the role of the detective’s (and story writer’s) assistant Jerkins.
Now don’t get me wrong, it is unlikely that when the characters are gathered for the big reveal the murder will knock your socks off from its clever and complex story: they’re writing and performing this on the spot for goodness’ sake. But I can guarantee you will be shocked by the elaborate murder they do concoct — my crowd served them a challenge with a chicken nugget for a weapon, but they still delivered an inventive storyline.
Running slightly like a pantomime, Murder She Didn’t Write calls on the crowd a fair few times, asking questions and looking for dramatic gasps or “ooo’s”. Asking at the start who had seen the show before and about one third of the audience shouting back, I knew I was in for a good hour of entertainment.
The greatest use of audience participation in Murder She Didn’t Write, though, was enlisting our “pointing fingers”. Yep, we were able to put in our guesses for the murderer. As a murder mystery fanatic, I couldn’t have been happier and more desperate to be right. Sadly, I was not. But the improvised storyline means that every show is different, tempting me to go again and give it another shot, just like a lot of the audience were doing.
The show’s premise is not only what makes it clever and witty, but also its impressive execution. Each and every actor brought to life Murder She Didn’t Write’s spontaneous tale with such incredible skill, crafting perfect puns and hilarious character interactions.
A fresh piece of comedy and theatre each night, Murder She Didn’t Write is perfect for any improv fans or wannabe detectives!
Murder She Didn’t Write is running until 24 August at Gordon Aikman Theatre at Assembly George Square.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Pamela Raith, provided to The Student as press material.