Murder, She Didn’t Write comedy review: Superb improvised whodunnit
A lightning-fast improvised whodunnit that blends Cluedo with theatrical rivalry
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If you crossed the plotting of The Mousetrap with the scheming board game chaos of Cluedo, poured the whole thing into a blender, added theatrical rivalry, quick-fire puns and a touch of glorious nonsense, you’d land somewhere close to Murder, She Didn’t Write. This improvised comedy moves at a cracking pace and keeps the audience deliciously off-balance. Each night begins with a fresh premise from the audience, meaning an entirely new murder mystery unfolds every performance under the steady guiding hand of the Detective. The cast leap headfirst into the unknown with impeccable improv instincts. Even if the evening’s theme was a total dud, this ensemble has the talent to spin it into a tightly paced, articulate and surprisingly exquisite piece of comic theatre.
The atmosphere in the room is electric. Giggles ripple through the crowd, even from the unfortunate souls drafted into the unfolding crime scene. The cast volley jokes and puns with the speed of seasoned detectives chasing clues, building a world where every line feels like it might become the next smoking gun. Tonally, imagine Murder, She Wrote colliding with the delightfully overdone body count of Midsomer Murders, all hijacked by the gleeful farce of a Carry On film. The result is a cosy murder mystery that develops a wicked sense of humour and a taste for theatrical chaos: absurd, quick-witted and gloriously silly. With talent that positively oozes from the stage and a different outcome every single night, this is improv theatre operating at an exceptionally high level, fearless, and executed with the kind of precision that makes the spontaneity even more impressive. A masterclass in comic timing and ensemble craft, and the sort of performance that keeps audiences coming back simply to watch a cast this skilled at work. Five stars. Case closed.
Murder, She Didn't Write continues at The Gosling at Gluttony – Rymill Park until March 15; picture: Pamela Raith.