MURDER MYSTERIES

The writing process entry from the other day got me thinking about the project I'm currently working on: A murder mystery script I'm creating for Carousel Productions.

The script isn't the focus of this entry, though, Agents: The Murder Mystery itself is.

Whether you're an aficionado of the literary genre, a movie-thriller buff, or a theatre patron, the Murder Mystery is a time-honored genre of whodunnit, composed of a cast of suspicous characters, and a story either beginning with or leading up to a murder.

I've been performing in interactive murder mysteries since 1990. These are the type of shows done in restaurants, hotels, corporate retreats, and -- on occasion -- trains.

These shows are always a total riot. They're really almost a parody of the genre, taking a Clue-like approach to the story with over-the-top, zany characters with unsubtle, obvious defects and glaring, burning motives to do each other in.

Well, with today's TV-fed audiences, you kind of have to belabor the point.

The interactive tagline comes from how this particular show is performed: There is no stage. The audience is part of the cast. The characters intermingle with the patrons to provide an atmosphere of realism (despite their over-the-top antics), but mostly to promote a sense of interplay between performer and attendee.

This has the effect of loosening up the audience enough to get them involved in the characters' lives, backstories, and ultimately, to help them solve the murder based on what they've observed.

Every show of this nature has a "ballot" that one fills out declaring motive, suspect, and how the murder was achieved-- much like the game "Clue"-- and at the end of the evening the murderer/ess is revealed and the Super Sleuth wins a prize.

It's a fun time; there are scripts, but of necessity there is also a lot of improvisation. When an actor is interacting with "real people", there's no telling what situations may arise or how an actor, in character, should deal with them.

On the surface, the show may appear goofy, wacky; but the truth is that it takes real professionals to pull it off. Not all actors can do improvisation; and not all improvisors make good actors. There has to be a blend. The actor has to be off-the-cuff and still be able to stay within the bounds of his or her character; to remember the plot points relative to them and not give them away, all the while remembering that the audience must be entertained.

I've had several good reviews on my performances in these shows over the years; companies I've worked for have been sent letters commending me personally for my character, which I can only assume is a good thing (since some of the characters are downright loathsome); so I must be doing something right.

But it's a genre of theatre too too FEW of my friends have come to see me in. I'd like to take this time to invite those of you who have never come out to one of these things to come to the next public show, and enjoy the madcap wackiness while you attempt to solve the mystery. See how I work, but enjoy the playtime and a good meal at the same time.

I got Agent ACK involved, as an actor -- he now is a regular with Carousel, and he and I play off each other all the time. After being sidekicks for each other for so long, it's nice to finally be doing it in a professional venue (and getting paid to do it is just icing on the cake).

These things generally cost around $55 bucks plus GST, and you get to see a show AND have a meal-- it's a great night out!

And no, I don't work on commission. This is just something I'd like to share. And since the new theatre season is starting now, what better time to bring it up?

Come on out and enjoy a murder mystery. They're a hoot.

M

Posted by Agent M at September 12, 2003 05:01 PM