A Bad Vintage – Large group script
The Grand Cru estate, situated on the fertile slopes of the Loire Valley in France, is a small family run vineyard with considerable rustic charm and appeal.
The owners of the estate, Max and Demi Liter, regularly host wine tasting evenings which allow their guests to sample the latest bottlings and place orders ahead of the big conglomerates.
Unfortunately for the guests this evening, the vintage had more body than they were expecting. Max Liter has been discovered dead in a vat of wine.
Who killed him and why?
This Game is Rated:
Mature
Content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
Including:
A murder – violence suggested.
Alcohol Reference – Reference to and/or images of alcoholic beverages.
Mature themes – marital affairs, unwanted pregnancy, growing cannabis
Comic Mischief – Depictions or dialogue involving slapstick or suggestive humour.
Suggestive Themes – Mild provocative references or materials and sexual innuendo. Acting as if attracted to particular characters is suggested in the character backgrounds.
What is included?
Example pre-printed boxed set
Reviews:
How it works:
How does the game work?
These games require 7-13 cast and involve the rest of the audience by getting them to ask pre-set questions – which are provided to them on paper by the inspector at the start of each round.
They run in a similar way to a dinner party, so are an ideal first choice for novice hosts and acing teams with little or no experience running large scale events.
These games work best as a sit down event with 6-12 tables of guests, with a suspect on each table.
As a rough guide these mysteries take approximately 2-3 hours to complete with a three course meal.
During the game the audience will listen to five short sets of dialogue from the cast and pose pre-scripted questions (which the cast answer with pre-scripted answers). There are three rounds which can be evenly spread throughout the night or, if preferred, the question and answer rounds can be bunched together into one large round.
At the end of the final round the guests are given time to decide who is the murderer, and once the guests have decided who did it, how and why (i.e. the murderer and motive) they will complete the answer sheet and hand it in.
How these games usually run.
Introductory Round: Introductions by the cast and the facilitator “inspector character”.
Rounds 1, 2 and 3: Scripted dialogue from the cast, followed by pre-set questions and answers.
Concluding Statements and solution: conclusions by the cast and denouement from the inspector.
There is one “inspector character” who acts as a facilitator during the event and is essential to the cast.
Reducing the cast size will reduce the length of time required to solve the mystery.
How does a “download and print at home” kit work?
Each “download and print at home” kit is provided as a zip file containing a set of PDF files for you to print at home, and a selection of MP3 files to use on the night.
Each dinner party game requires use of a printer and A4 paper (approx. 80 sheets for a 6 player kit – 240 sheets for a 20 player kit), envelopes so you can send out your invitations, and either a laptop or MP3 player (e.g. an ipod) to play the inspector MP3s; OR a CD burner so you can burn the MP3s onto a CD to run in an ordinary CD player.
When you order the game you’ll be sent a link to download the files you need. The file will be a zip file. This can be opened with a zip compatible program on your computer. If you struggle to open zip files – we can email you the game directly over several emails instead – just contact us after purchase to arrange this.
You will download the following files:
- How to use this game
- Instructions for running the murder mystery
- Making the most of your theme- ideas for decoration / activities.
- Invitations
- Character Booklets (available in single sided printer and double sided printer format)
- Scripted for the inspector character (available in single sided printer and double sided printer format)
- Solution script for the inspector character (needed when printing from the single sided copy)
- MP3 files for the inspector character (dialogue and solution)
- Hints and tips
- Recipe suggestions
- Money off voucher towards next purchase
How does a “Pre-printed box set” work?
This is the easiest way to play. Everything you need will arrive in a box, pre-printed, directly to your door.
You will receive through the post:
- Instruction booklet (includes hints and tips)
- Invitations and envelopes for all the guests
- Character booklets
- CD of the inspector
- Inspector script in a sealed envelope so you don’t find out the solution by accident!
- Making the most of your theme and recipe suggestion booklet.
- Money off voucher towards next purchase (printed inside the booklets)
We always ship within 24 hours meaning orders arrive as quickly as possible.
As each game is printed on demand, we can also provide a customisation service on any order. See details further down the page on what we can do to tailor this game to your party.
Characters in the game:
Inspector Lee Piador – The policeman sent to solve the crime
Efficient in his own peculiar way, Inspector Lee Piador has an unusual method of solving crimes – he involves everyone!
Demi Liter – Wife of Max Liter.
In silk, satin or velvet, Demi is fond of luxury and is dressed, made-up and manicured to perfection in order to entertain her guests in style.
Bryon Case – Wine merchant.
Respectable and presentable, Byron likes to dress smartly but is never in a suit, preferring a casual jacket and trousers to give an air of relaxed sophistication.
Ava Draft – Swiss bank manager.
Punctual and with a very strict dress sense, Ava wears a smartly pressed suit and minimal make-up. Her blond plaits wouldn’t dare have a hair out of place!
Nick Blagger – Retired rock star.
In faded jeans and ripped shirt, Nick regularly forgets to shave and just sort of hangs out, man”.
Phillipa Delphia – Local cheesemaker.
Delicate and dizzy, Phillipa has a hiccupping laugh and likes her frills.
Tarquin Tokay – Retired Foreign Office minister.
Pompous and aloof, Tarquin is always formally dressed in his dinner suit.
Inspector Lee Piador – The policeman sent to solve the crime
Efficient in his own peculiar way, Inspector Lee Piador has an unusual method of solving crimes – he involves everyone!
Demi Liter – Wife of Max Liter.
In silk, satin or velvet, Demi is fond of luxury and is dressed, made-up and manicured to perfection in order to entertain her guests in style.
Bryon Case – Wine merchant.
Respectable and presentable, Byron likes to dress smartly but is never in a suit, preferring a casual jacket and trousers to give an air of relaxed sophistication.
Ava Draft – Swiss bank manager.
Punctual and with a very strict dress sense, Ava wears a smartly pressed suit and minimal make-up. Her blond plaits wouldn’t dare have a hair out of place!
Nick Blagger – Retired rock star.
In faded jeans and ripped shirt, Nick regularly forgets to shave and just sort of hangs out, man”.
Phillipa Delphia – Local cheesemaker.
Delicate and dizzy, Phillipa has a hiccupping laugh and likes her frills.
Tarquin Tokay – Retired Foreign Office minister.
Pompous and aloof, Tarquin is always formally dressed in his dinner suit.
Lady Bla Bla – Celebrity.
Whackily dressed Lady Bla Bla loves anything that shows off her fabulous figure.
Monty Carlo – Racing car driver.
In leather patched tweed jacket, racing goggles and silk scarf, Monty loves his vintage cars and knows all sorts of interesting facts about motoring.
Inspector Lee Piador – The policeman sent to solve the crime
Efficient in his own peculiar way, Inspector Lee Piador has an unusual method of solving crimes – he involves everyone!
Demi Liter – Wife of Max Liter.
In silk, satin or velvet, Demi is fond of luxury and is dressed, made-up and manicured to perfection in order to entertain her guests in style.
Bryon Case – Wine merchant.
Respectable and presentable, Byron likes to dress smartly but is never in a suit, preferring a casual jacket and trousers to give an air of relaxed sophistication.
Ava Draft – Swiss bank manager.
Punctual and with a very strict dress sense, Ava wears a smartly pressed suit and minimal make-up. Her blond plaits wouldn’t dare have a hair out of place!
Nick Blagger – Retired rock star.
In faded jeans and ripped shirt, Nick regularly forgets to shave and just sort of hangs out, man”.
Phillipa Delphia – Local cheesemaker.
Delicate and dizzy, Phillipa has a hiccupping laugh and likes her frills.
Tarquin Tokay – Retired Foreign Office minister.
Pompous and aloof, Tarquin is always formally dressed in his dinner suit.
Lady Bla Bla – Celebrity.
Whackily dressed Lady Bla Bla loves anything that shows off her fabulous figure.
Monty Carlo – Racing car driver.
In leather patched tweed jacket, racing goggles and silk scarf, Monty loves his vintage cars and knows all sorts of interesting facts about motoring.
Dr Karafe – Wine blender.
White coated and with a strangely Slavic accent, Dr. Karafe is a suave mixer.
Jilly Goodblend – Oenophile.
A wine critic with an eccentric style, Jilly is tremendously popular with the public, even if her caustic commentary has a tendency to offend the vineyard owners!
Inspector Lee Piador – The policeman sent to solve the crime
Efficient in his own peculiar way, Inspector Lee Piador has an unusual method of solving crimes – he involves everyone!
Demi Liter – Wife of Max Liter.
In silk, satin or velvet, Demi is fond of luxury and is dressed, made-up and manicured to perfection in order to entertain her guests in style.
Bryon Case – Wine merchant.
Respectable and presentable, Byron likes to dress smartly but is never in a suit, preferring a casual jacket and trousers to give an air of relaxed sophistication.
Ava Draft – Swiss bank manager.
Punctual and with a very strict dress sense, Ava wears a smartly pressed suit and minimal make-up. Her blond plaits wouldn’t dare have a hair out of place!
Nick Blagger – Retired rock star.
In faded jeans and ripped shirt, Nick regularly forgets to shave and just sort of hangs out, man”.
Phillipa Delphia – Local cheesemaker.
Delicate and dizzy, Phillipa has a hiccupping laugh and likes her frills.
Tarquin Tokay – Retired Foreign Office minister.
Pompous and aloof, Tarquin is always formally dressed in his dinner suit.
Lady Bla Bla – Celebrity.
Whackily dressed Lady Bla Bla loves anything that shows off her fabulous figure.
Monty Carlo – Racing car driver.
In leather patched tweed jacket, racing goggles and silk scarf, Monty loves his vintage cars and knows all sorts of interesting facts about motoring.
Dr Karafe – Wine blender.
White coated and with a strangely Slavic accent, Dr. Karafe is a suave mixer.
Jilly Goodblend – Oenophile.
A wine critic with an eccentric style, Jilly is tremendously popular with the public, even if her caustic commentary has a tendency to offend the vineyard owners!
Vinnie Dresser – Vineyard manager.
In dungarees and checked shirt, Vinnie has come straight from the vineyards.
Honor Platter – Local delicatessen owner.
Never without samples, Honor is artistically dressed to compliment her haute cuisine.
