Fringe review: Murder Village – An Improvised Whodunnit
A blend of quick-fire comedy, musical chaos and classic 1950s intrigue. ★★★
A victim, a perpetrator, a weapon and lots of clues: all the ingredients needed for a delicious concoction of intrigue and entertainment. But who dies and who is responsible? Well, that’s left in the trusty hands of the audience… Good, old-fashioned fun, Murder Village: An Improvised Whodunnit is full of mischief, mayhem and, as the title suggests, a whole lot of murder.
Set against a backdrop of 1950s Britain in quaint little Murder Village, the atmosphere is inviting and inclusive, with the audience thrust into the action. Anticipation only builds as we sit on the edge of our seats, waiting to see if any of our pre-show suggestions make the final cut. None of the potential outcomes detract from the overall levity, and the lack of props allows for more humorous improvisation. Full of confidence, the performers channel their characters fully: mannerisms are consistent and on point, expressions big, flamboyant and funny. The aim of the show isn’t merely whodunnit: it’s laying out the journey to get there. The detective doesn’t know who the murderer is and picks up clues along with the crowd. As with most improvised shows, there is a little bit of drifting here and there, but this adds to the richness of events. The overlap of acting, music and narration increases the ad-libs and pave the way for easy laughs.
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With no two shows the same, it’s very easy to visit Murder Village and its inhabitants time and time again. A fantastic show for the entire family, it’s a killing ripper of a time.
Murder Village: An Improvised Whodunnit is playing in the Hetzel Room at The Courtyard of Curiosities at the State Library March 10 – 22
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