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.
It is a time of prosperity for the social elite and tucked away in the leafy depths of the countryside, the residents of Merkister Hall, Brigadier Balderdash and his wife Lotta, are just two of those who have achieved a very comfortable life. Keen to share their good fortune with others, the Balderdash’s 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!
With the butler murdered, the question everyone must answer is, who did it?
Large Group Murder Mystery Game
Murder at Merkister Hall – Large group script
From: £149.99
- Works with unlimited number of guests
- Instant download option available
- Can be played in person & Virtually
Not for profit discount
If you are running this for friends or family,
fundraising or not for profit.
You can save 65% – just register for a special code.
You can save 65% – just register for a special code.
Save 65%
Pre-Printed box set
Whats in the kit
- Full instructions
- Script Booklet for Each Cast Member
- Invitation Flyer (Which You Can Copy to Requirements)
- Invitations and Envelopes for Each Cast Member
- Script for the Inspector
- Guest Instruction Handouts X 20 Copies
- Clue Question Sheets for Guests
- Solution in Sealed Envelope So Inspector Can Play Too
How do these games kits 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.
Introducing the suspects
The inspector can be played by a male or female person but is essential to make the game format work. We suggest you cast your primary “Organizer” in this role. Or have the most organised as a supporting role to the inspector to keep the game moving along and hand out information at the right time.
Inspector Napp – The policeman responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
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.
Lotta Balderdash – Wife of Brigadier Balderdash.
Tastefully clothed and very reserved, Lotta Balderdash is refined and elegant.
Morgan Carze – Racing car driver.
Always in a tearing hurry, Morgan Carze embraces modern fashion, but is also fairly scruffy and windswept from driving.
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!
Rev. Al Ation – Vicar.
With his stiff white dog collar and wearing traditional black, Rev. Al Ation is always on duty for his flock.
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!
The inspector can be played by a male or female person but is essential to make the game format work. We suggest you cast your primary “Organizer” in this role. Or have the most organised as a supporting role to the inspector to keep the game moving along and hand out information at the right time.
Inspector Napp – The policeman responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
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.
Lotta Balderdash – Wife of Brigadier Balderdash.
Tastefully clothed and very reserved, Lotta Balderdash is refined and elegant.
Morgan Carze – Racing car driver.
Always in a tearing hurry, Morgan Carze embraces modern fashion, but is also fairly scruffy and windswept from driving.
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!
Rev. Al Ation – Vicar.
With his stiff white dog collar and wearing traditional black, Rev. Al Ation is always on duty for his flock.
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!
Doug Oles – Archaeologist.
Fresh from his current dig, Doug sports his boots, trowel, and being young, huge levels of enthusiasm.
Nicole de Limelite – Film star.
Sophisticated and elegant, Nicole has all the latest fashions.
The inspector can be played by a male or female person but is essential to make the game format work. We suggest you cast your primary “Organizer” in this role. Or have the most organised as a supporting role to the inspector to keep the game moving along and hand out information at the right time.
Inspector Napp – The policeman responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
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.
Lotta Balderdash – Wife of Brigadier Balderdash.
Tastefully clothed and very reserved, Lotta Balderdash is refined and elegant.
Morgan Carze – Racing car driver.
Always in a tearing hurry, Morgan Carze embraces modern fashion, but is also fairly scruffy and windswept from driving.
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!
Rev. Al Ation – Vicar.
With his stiff white dog collar and wearing traditional black, Rev. Al Ation is always on duty for his flock.
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!
Doug Oles – Archaeologist.
Fresh from his current dig, Doug sports his boots, trowel, and being young, huge levels of enthusiasm.
Nicole de Limelite – Film star.
Sophisticated and elegant, Nicole has all the latest fashions.
Max Outputt – Industrialist.
Dressed formally for dinner in a dinner suit, Max is never parted from his Financial Times.
Penny Pusher – The Balderdash’s secretary.
Devastatingly attractive and difficult to ignore, Penny is a blonde bombshell who is terribly organised and very capable.
The inspector can be played by a male or female person but is essential to make the game format work. We suggest you cast your primary “Organizer” in this role. Or have the most organised as a supporting role to the inspector to keep the game moving along and hand out information at the right time.
Inspector Napp – The policeman responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
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.
Lotta Balderdash – Wife of Brigadier Balderdash.
Tastefully clothed and very reserved, Lotta Balderdash is refined and elegant.
Morgan Carze – Racing car driver.
Always in a tearing hurry, Morgan Carze embraces modern fashion, but is also fairly scruffy and windswept from driving.
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!
Rev. Al Ation – Vicar.
With his stiff white dog collar and wearing traditional black, Rev. Al Ation is always on duty for his flock.
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!
Doug Oles – Archaeologist.
Fresh from his current dig, Doug sports his boots, trowel, and being young, huge levels of enthusiasm.
Nicole de Limelite – Film star.
Sophisticated and elegant, Nicole has all the latest fashions.
Max Outputt – Industrialist.
Dressed formally for dinner in a dinner suit, Max is never parted from his Financial Times.
Penny Pusher – The Balderdash’s secretary.
Devastatingly attractive and difficult to ignore, Penny is a blonde bombshell who is terribly organised and very capable.
Gerry Atrics – Local doctor.
Never without his doctor’s bag, Gerry Atrics has a calm bedside manner and usually wears a suit.
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.
Need something bespoke?
Customise this game
This game can be customised to fit your event for an additional fee.
It’s hard to give “ball park” figures for what different customisations would cost however we’ve attempted to HERE.
Please do contact us for a free quote if you would like any customisations on your game before purchase.
Remember… if you just need 1 extra person, or 1 less person, why not have someone play the inspector role?
The inspector can usually be male or female as the “for real” inspector can simply invent a new name for themselves.
Some hosts prefer to play the inspector role as it means they can work on the catering while the round plays out amongst their guests.
1 review for Murder at Merkister Hall – Large group script