How to run an interactive murder mystery game

These mysteries are written so that they can be run using just 2 “fully in the know” cast who can work “script in hand” all evening, and include roles for 6 members of the audience as suspects and giving the rest roles as detectives who both ask pre-scripted questions and review evidence.  As the 6 audience members who play the suspects also aren’t told who the murderer is, they can still join in with the other guests guessing whodunnit.  Perfect for groups who already know each other and see their colleagues and friends in different roles, they also work exceptionally well with strangers and are specifically designed for entertaining groups of 12-80 guests.

This format of game brought the “best bits” from all our large group formats into one, and as they need only minimal cast, and use the audience as supects, they work exceptionally well with smaller numbers, making them ideal for small venues for whom buying in professional services is normally not cost effective, as well as for smaller corporate groups and small private parties.

How the interactive murder mystery games work:

Before the night.

Guest information, pens and paper are allocated to each table ready for the guests to arrive.  The cast review their backgound information and have ready to distribute a crime scene photo, evidence photos which are distibuted between rounds 1 and 2 and 2 and 3, as well as three sets of questions which are given to the audience before each round.

Also included in the packs, but not always used, are transcripts of the interviews, so if the sound doesn’t carry well, the actors can distribute copies of the investigation at the end of each round allowing those who didn’t hear the information well to keep up.

On the night.

Before the evening formally starts the hosting actors look for people who seem interested in taking a role in the evening’s activities as suspects.

They look in the audience for the people who seem the most outgoing. They usually need to ask them directly to take a role. People rarely volunteer themselves on the evening!

After the hosting cast have found their 6 suspects – they pull them to one side (or into a different room) and brief them on their roles within the mystery, i.e. what they will be doing at key points. Emphasising that the cast are there every step of the way to keep them on track and also calm any nerves they might feel about the introductory script they’ll be performing in front of the others.

Within the suspect booklets it explains when they are to talk, which questions they’ll need to answer and the entire evening is performed “script in hand” . They aren’t expected to do any ad lib work.

During the evening the actors will prompt them before each round to check they know where they are and don’t need to worry about losing the page!

The mystery starts with the suspects acting out a short script which introduces the murder in a more dramatic way.  Guests are then presented with a crime scene photo so they can examine the dead body.

The game now runs with three rounds.

Round 1: Questions are give to the geusts, and the cast members answer these questions.  After the round concludes the cast provide evidence to the guests which is circulated slowly allowing the guests to discuss it.

Round 2: The cast have a very short dialogue they share (a mini script) that they just read from their seats (though we usually get them to stand whenever they speak).  Questions are give to the guests, and the cast members answer these questions.  After the round concludes the cast provide evidence to the guests which is circulated slowly allowing the guests to discuss it.

Round 3:  The cast have a very short dialogue they share (a mini script) that they just read from their seats (though we usually get them to stand whenever they speak).  Questions are give to the guests, and the cast members answer these questions.  After the round concludes the cast ask the audience to identify the murderer.

The mystery closes when the solution is provided by the inspector.

You can see us running one here:

 

Sample running order:

7.00pm On arrival guests will be greeted by the cast. They will select and provide the nominated guests with their suspect briefing packs and give them an introduction to the mystery.

7.30pm A short skit to introduce the murder – approx 7 minutes. While the hotel staff are serving the actors will visit the tables and explain the information on the tables to the guests, give a copy of the crime scene photo to each table and also give out the first set of questions the guests will ask the suspects.

7.40pm First course is served, eaten and cleared.

8.00pm Round One – the investigation commences when the inspector makes his appearance and runs through the first Q and A session.

8.15pm Main course is served. During this the first set of photographic evidence will start to circulate. And each team will be given a transcript of the interviews conducted (round 1). The guests will eat and the plates will be cleared before round two starts.

8.45pm Round Two – the investigation deepens, with a very brief short skit, a Q and A session.

9.00pm Dessert is served. During this the second set of photographic evidence will start to circulate. And each team will be given a transcript of the interviews conducted (round 2). The guests will eat and the plates will be cleared before round three starts.

9.20pm Round Three –the investigation completes with a last short skit, and the final Q and A session. The actors will circulate the last set of transcripts and each team will be asked to return their answer sheets.

9.45pm Tea / coffee and mints, final questions if there are any while the cast circulate.

10.00 pm Guesses and solution!

 

Your job as host

Firstly make sure you have adequate time to prepare for the event, that all cast are happy with their scripts and that anything else you plan to run at the same time as the mystery e.g. refreshments, has been adequately thought through.

These mysteries have a lot of printed materials as the audience see a variety of evidence during the evening.  As a result its always a good idea to print this in advance, and place them into envelopes to make it easier to work with on the evening..

On the night it is your job as host to make sure all your guests are comfortable with what they are being asked to do, and that the event passes off without a hitch.

Although the guests will have been given their instructions, sometimes these are simply not enough, especially if they are nervous of their role in the mystery. As host it will be your job to make sure they understand what is expected of them.

Event management services are available for this style of event – feel free to get in touch for a free quote.