Ivor Whiplash, ringmaster and owner of the Burnem and Barley Circus, has been found lying face down in the sawdust of the Big Top with a knife in his back. His stockwhip lay by his right hand and he is undoubtedly very dead!
But who clipped his ticket? Who cancelled his contract?
All the performers have been assembled in the Booking Office. It is time to call in Detective Inspector Marquee.
Can you work out whodunnit?
Large Group Murder Mystery Game
Topped at the Big Top – 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 Marquee – The Detective responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, Inspector Marquee has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
Koffey the Clown – Typical circus clown.
In flamboyant make-up with a painted smile, brightly coloured uniform, bowler hat and a large bow tie, Koffey also has a bandaged right hand.
Xavier Fallin – Trapeze artiste par excellence.
Of Russian descent, Xavier wears a leotard covered with a large flowing cloak.
Angel Wings – Trapeze artist, partner to Xavier Fallin.
Slim but surprisingly strong, Angel dresses in a spangled costume with white sparkly tights.
Dirk Hurlitt- Knife-thrower.
A full-blood Romany wearing a red bandana, wide-sleeved shirt cinched in at the waist with a red sash, silk neckerchief and black breeches fastened at the ankles.
Elli Vated – Highwire walker.
Elli wears a black costume and soft shoes, with hair slicked back to give a streamlined but severe appearance.
Amy Strate – Knife-thrower’s assistant.
A former animal trainer dressed in a gypsy blouse and bandana, coloured leggings with hot pants and low-heeled shoes.
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 Marquee – The Detective responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, Inspector Marquee has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
Koffey the Clown – Typical circus clown.
In flamboyant make-up with a painted smile, brightly coloured uniform, bowler hat and a large bow tie, Koffey also has a bandaged right hand.
Xavier Fallin – Trapeze artiste par excellence.
Of Russian descent, Xavier wears a leotard covered with a large flowing cloak.
Angel Wings – Trapeze artist, partner to Xavier Fallin.
Slim but surprisingly strong, Angel dresses in a spangled costume with white sparkly tights.
Dirk Hurlitt- Knife-thrower.
A full-blood Romany wearing a red bandana, wide-sleeved shirt cinched in at the waist with a red sash, silk neckerchief and black breeches fastened at the ankles.
Elli Vated – Highwire walker.
Elli wears a black costume and soft shoes, with hair slicked back to give a streamlined but severe appearance.
Amy Strate – Knife-thrower’s assistant.
A former animal trainer dressed in a gypsy blouse and bandana, coloured leggings with hot pants and low-heeled shoes.
Molly Coddler – Matron/nurse.
The resident medic, attending to all the first aid and palliative treatment of the performers and staff. Dressed as a nursing sister complete with hat and tunic.
Bernie le Bouche – Fire-eater.
Long-haired and dressed in a medieval jester-style tunic, tights and hat, Bernie also has a bandaged right hand.
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 Marquee – The Detective responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, Inspector Marquee has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
Koffey the Clown – Typical circus clown.
In flamboyant make-up with a painted smile, brightly coloured uniform, bowler hat and a large bow tie, Koffey also has a bandaged right hand.
Xavier Fallin – Trapeze artiste par excellence.
Of Russian descent, Xavier wears a leotard covered with a large flowing cloak.
Angel Wings – Trapeze artist, partner to Xavier Fallin.
Slim but surprisingly strong, Angel dresses in a spangled costume with white sparkly tights.
Dirk Hurlitt- Knife-thrower.
A full-blood Romany wearing a red bandana, wide-sleeved shirt cinched in at the waist with a red sash, silk neckerchief and black breeches fastened at the ankles.
Elli Vated – Highwire walker.
Elli wears a black costume and soft shoes, with hair slicked back to give a streamlined but severe appearance.
Amy Strate – Knife-thrower’s assistant.
A former animal trainer dressed in a gypsy blouse and bandana, coloured leggings with hot pants and low-heeled shoes.
Molly Coddler – Matron/nurse.
The resident medic, attending to all the first aid and palliative treatment of the performers and staff. Dressed as a nursing sister complete with hat and tunic.
Bernie le Bouche – Fire-eater.
Long-haired and dressed in a medieval jester-style tunic, tights and hat, Bernie also has a bandaged right hand.
Phil Mabiceps – The circus strongman.
Big and very strong, Phil is dressed in a leopardskin leotard and boxer boots and often carries a hand weight to exercise his muscles.
Bendy Wendy – Acrobat and contortionist.
Fit, slim and very able, Wendy wears a one-piece catsuit or leotard decorated with sequins and beads. She has a dragon tattoo on her back and silk ribbon streamers attached to her wrists.
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 Marquee – The Detective responsible for solving the crime
Efficient in their own peculiar way, Inspector Marquee has an unusual method of solving crimes – they involve everyone!
The Suspects:
Koffey the Clown – Typical circus clown.
In flamboyant make-up with a painted smile, brightly coloured uniform, bowler hat and a large bow tie, Koffey also has a bandaged right hand.
Xavier Fallin – Trapeze artiste par excellence.
Of Russian descent, Xavier wears a leotard covered with a large flowing cloak.
Angel Wings – Trapeze artist, partner to Xavier Fallin.
Slim but surprisingly strong, Angel dresses in a spangled costume with white sparkly tights.
Dirk Hurlitt- Knife-thrower.
A full-blood Romany wearing a red bandana, wide-sleeved shirt cinched in at the waist with a red sash, silk neckerchief and black breeches fastened at the ankles.
Elli Vated – Highwire walker.
Elli wears a black costume and soft shoes, with hair slicked back to give a streamlined but severe appearance.
Amy Strate – Knife-thrower’s assistant.
A former animal trainer dressed in a gypsy blouse and bandana, coloured leggings with hot pants and low-heeled shoes.
Molly Coddler – Matron/nurse.
The resident medic, attending to all the first aid and palliative treatment of the performers and staff. Dressed as a nursing sister complete with hat and tunic.
Bernie le Bouche – Fire-eater.
Long-haired and dressed in a medieval jester-style tunic, tights and hat, Bernie also has a bandaged right hand.
Phil Mabiceps – The circus strongman.
Big and very strong, Phil is dressed in a leopardskin leotard and boxer boots and often carries a hand weight to exercise his muscles.
Bendy Wendy – Acrobat and contortionist.
Fit, slim and very able, Wendy wears a one-piece catsuit or leotard decorated with sequins and beads. She has a dragon tattoo on her back and silk ribbon streamers attached to her wrists.
Hairy Mary – Bearded lady.
Sporting a full beard and moustache, Mary is a large-busted woman wearing a floral dress, high-heeled shoes and a gardenia in her smartly styled hair.
Orson Ryder – Bareback rider.
French by birth, Orson has spent many years in the circus. He wears a cowboy shirt, trousers, chaps, boots and a stetson hat.
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 Topped at the Big Top – Large group script