Brigadier Balderdash
Lord of the manor.
Pompous, with very upright military bearing, Brigadier Balderdash is always seen in a well starched collar and his tweed suit.
Male
The story so far
The evening
It’s the 1930s. The great depression is over, the pound is competing with the dollar on the open exchange and there is a rise in business of all shapes at sizes.
Keen to share their good fortune with others, the Balderdashes regularly play host for sumptuous dinner parties at their stately home which involve nothing but the best wines, fine cuisine and traditional after dinner entertainment.
This evening was to be no exception. The guests had all arrived as planned and with the food ready to be served in the kitchens the party only lacked one thing, namely the butler Leversham who has been discovered dead, in the Billiard room!
Play our 1930s themed murder mystery Murder at Merkister Hall to solve the crime!
The line-up
Meet the suspects
Your guests play these characters, and every one of them has something to hide.
6 suspects · 2 female, 2 male, 2 any gender
Lotta Balderdash
Wife of Brigadier Balderdash.
Tastefully clothed and very reserved, Lotta Balderdash is refined and elegant.
Female
Morgan Carze
Racing car driver.
Always in a tearing hurry, Morgan Carze embraces modern fashion, but is also fairly scruffy and windswept from driving.
Any gender
Drew Sketches
Local artist.
Never without an artist’s smock, Drew Sketches often has a sketch pad to hand and a paintbrush behind an ear!
Any gender
Rev. Al Ation
Vicar.
With his stiff white dog collar and wearing traditional black, Rev. Al Ation is always on duty for his flock.
Male
Miss Jane Marbles
Maiden aunt and amateur sleuth.
In a twin set and pearls and a tweed suit, there is nothing remotely sinister about this spinster, except for the dead bodies that seem to turn up in her close proximity!
Female
Doug Oles
Archaeologist.
Fresh from his current dig, Doug sports his boots, trowel, and being young, huge levels of enthusiasm.
Male · Joins at 8 players
Nicole de Limelite
Film star.
Sophisticated and elegant, Nicole has all the latest fashions.
Female · Joins at 8 players
Max Outputt
Industrialist.
Dressed formally for dinner in a dinner suit, Max is never parted from his Financial Times.
Male · Joins at 10 players
Penny Pusher
The Balderdash’s secretary.
Devastatingly attractive and difficult to ignore, Penny is a blonde bombshell who is terribly organised and very capable.
Female · Joins at 10 players
Gerry Atrics
Local doctor.
Never without his doctor’s bag, Gerry Atrics has a calm bedside manner and usually wears a suit.
Male · Joins at 12 players
Iona Caine
Schoolteacher.
Strict in manner and with glasses that are more regularly looked over than through, Iona has a modest dress code but is really quite stunning.
Female · Joins at 12 players
Amelia Fairhart
Female aviator.
Lively and flamboyant, Amelia is more than a match for any man at the party, though she has a soft spot for any man who can wield a wrench.
Female · Joins at 14 players
Sigmund Froid
Austrian psychoanalyst.
With clipped beard, glasses, cigar and smart suit, Sigmund exudes a wonderfully calm bedside manner, even if he is obsessed by people’s dreams and their sex lives.
Male · Joins at 14 players
Ivor Blunderbust
Big game hunter.
With a British stiff upper lip and a passion for hunting, Ivor is very boastful about his exploits. He is also rather loud in any polite company as regular use of firearms has left him with terrible tinnitus.
Male · Joins at 16 players
Gaye Gordon
Authoress.
Fiery and forthright, Gaye has never been one to let something as serious as a murder get in the way of a good story.
Female · Joins at 16 players
Winston Kirkmund
Conservative MP.
Fond of bow ties and cigars, Winston has always enjoyed the heated discussions in the House of Commons. He fights them from the back benches, he fights them in elections… unfortunately, this time, his party lost.
Male · Joins at 18 players
Clementine Kirkmund
Supportive wife of Winston.
A woman of beauty and distinction, Clementine has always supported her husband and will not tolerate any negativity about his policies or his behaviour.
Female · Joins at 18 players
Claire Voyant
Spiritualist.
With tasselled shawls, floating fabrics and a predisposition for suddenly going into a trance, Claire is not really ‘all here’ so to speak.
Female · Joins at 20 players
Ed Lines
New York Times reporter.
In a scruffy jacket and trousers, Ed is always at the front of any action with his notebook and pen to the ready.
Male · Joins at 20 players
How it plays
How the event runs
Ninety minutes on Zoom, led by one of our professional actors. Your guests join from wherever they are, on a computer, tablet or phone.
What you'll need
- A Minimum of 6 Guests
- Pen and Paper (optional)
- Computer/Laptop/Phone
- A Fun Costume to get in Character (optional)
- A Keen Detective's Eye
- A Sense of Humour!
Hosted by us
We run it. You solve it.
You and your guests take on the roles of the suspects, with a host on the call to guide you through the mystery.
-
A professional actor hosts
They lead your group through the clues and the questions, and our detective reveals all at the end.
-
Your guests are the suspects
Everyone listens for clues and interrogates each other, because one of you committed the crime.
-
Join from anywhere
It runs on Zoom, so guests can join on a computer, tablet or phone, wherever they are.
Before you buy
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find an answer to your specific question do reach out via email or phone.
When can we book it for?
Any day from 7 days ahead up to 12 months ahead, starting on the hour. Times are UK time; if you're elsewhere, the booking box shows yours beside each one.
How many people can play?
Groups from six players, all on the same call from wherever they are. The booking box goes up to the largest group this game is run for; for a bigger one, call us on +44 (0)2030 112 215 and we'll sort it out.
What happens after we book?
You get an order confirmation straight away, and we send the Zoom link for your event before the night.
Will there be actors?
You and your team will be taking on the roles of the suspects in this game but you will have a host on the call to help guide you through the mystery as the inspector!
Do we need to dress up?
Costumes are encouraged but not required!
More like this
You might also like
Not quite right?
Want the cast in the room?
We bring actors to offices, hotels and parties as well — or you can run one of our games yourself.
Murder At Merkister Hall - A Virtual Murder Mystery