Reviewed by Rachel Doulton
Intrigue! Clues! *Gasp* Murder…
Back from a sell-out season in 2024, Murder Village brings a stellar cast of improvisers to FringeWorld to play a classic whodunnit inspired by the classics led by sharp-as-a-tac Miss Marple type and hapless detective. As the audience, you are given the chance to vote anonymously pre-show for who will be the murderer and who will be the victim, as well as suggestions on murder weapons and clues to unravel the plot.
What the show lacks in set due to the constraints of being in a Pleasure Gardens venue they more than make up for with everything else put into this show. Each element of the production is a perfect homage to the murder mystery TV shows our nan’s used to love. The ensemble of potential victims or suspects had an array of prepared archetypal characters that contrasted well on stage; the camp clairvoyant, the righteous librarian, the hard-hitting entrepreneur, and the ballsy nun.
The ensemble each played their part well with brilliant costumes to reflect the 1950s time period in which all murder mystery TV shows seem to be set. Each cast member played to their strengths, with special mention to clairvoyant Laszlo Farhart, played by Jason Geary, whose physicality and quick one-liners often had audiences clutching at their sides throughout. The ensemble was very cohesive and in tune with each other and their timing, it was easy to forget that this was a show that was completely improvised and that the cast was discovering the twists and turns along with the audience.
Jaron Why on keys underscored the events on stage as they unfolded. His adept playing so superbly captured the drama and mystery that you could be confused that the soundtrack of Poirot was playing instead. He didn’t miss a beat as he kept up with the highs and lows happening on stage, knowing exactly when to amp up the suspense or support dialogue between characters.
The Murder Village team have nailed the format, and this show is a great addition to your FringeWorld schedule for a night of hatched plots and trickery!
Reviewer Note: Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.
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