Fans of midcentury (well, mid-last-century) Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries are in for a criminally good time at Murder Village: An Improvised Whodunnit. David Massingham and a quirky cast of crafty improvisors create and solve a new murder mystery at every show, drawing from the familiar tropes and typical characters found in the genre’s most beloved page-turners.
The players of Murder Village work inside a well-structured improv format that takes audience suggestions via a web form we complete prior to the show to determine the victim, the murderer, the murder weapon, and a significant clue. Massingham leads the proceedings as MC-cum-detective, while Louisa Fitzhardinge steps into the dainty shoes of the Marple-esque amateur sleuth. Murder Village’s Perth run is populated by an eclectic mix of eccentrics played by Amy Moule, Kathryn Tohill, Jason D. Geary, and Esther Longhurst. Together they’re a tight team that deliver a tidy and skillfully-executed 60 minutes of devised dialogue, drama, and of course, death.
Because it’s such tight ship, there doesn’t seem to be much room for loosey-goosey comic shenanigans in this format, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of humour on hand. The performers are clever character artists who make strong, clear choices that make sense and move the show along at the perfect pace. Underscoring the action on piano is David Peake, who enhances the dramatic tension and lighthearted fun throughout.
Murder Village is likely to be a sellout favourite wherever it goes, so festivalgoers at other Fringes nationally and internationally should make sure to act early when booking their tickets to this statistically dangerous but cosy little 1950s town.
CICELY BINFORD
Murder Village had a sellout run from 13 – 18 Feb at The Little Palais in the Pleasure Garden. For more information, visit here.
