Character Based games

These games require 7-13 cast and have the option of a series of paper clues.

These games work best as a sit down event with 6-12 tables of guests who work as a team, but the games can be adapted to suit multi-room formats as well.

The games contain two options.
Option 1: All clues are provided by cast members.
Option 2: Guests receive questions to ask the suspects (cast members) on paper, and have to find out the answers to these questions from the cast.

As a rough guide these mysteries take approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

Brief introduction to the format of these games.

These murder mysteries can be run in several formats; and can be run either as a sit down event, or as one which encourages the guests to mingle.

Using option 1 the cast used act out dialogue and answer specific questions posed to them by the teams playing, as well as providing questions (clues) of their own which the teams take away to ask another member of cast.

Using option 2 these questions (clues) are provided on paper to the guests each round and can be either shouted out to the cast who can be sat at different tables with the guests, or on a separate table; or asked of the cast when they come to the table during the event.

During these games your guests will listen to five short sets of dialogue and pose questions to each member of cast. There are five rounds which can be evenly spread throughout the night or, if preferred, rounds 1, 2,and 3 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, means and motive) they will complete the answer sheet and hand it in.

How these games usually run.

These mysteries split into 5 “acts”:

• Introductory Round: Introductions by the cast and the facilitator “inspector character”,
• Rounds 1, 2 and 3: optional scripted dialogue and questions and answers,
• Concluding Statements and solution: conclusions by the cast and solution.

The timing for these “acts” does not need to be precise, you may even want to bunch rounds 1, 2 and 3 together; however it is critical that the guests are given a reasonable amount of time to question all the cast in rounds 1, 2, and 3 before they are asked to make a decision as to who the murderer is and the mystery is concluded.

There is one “inspector character” who acts as facilitator during the event and is essential to the cast. There are also 6 non-optional cast members which need to be

Are large group mysteries requiring 5 cast who are fully in the know (one of which will double up as the inspector who will act as master of ceremonies for the question session at the end of the night and provide the solution), use of 1 large room, and a few props. One murder occurs before the guests arrive and one midway through the evening.

Your guests play the role of detectives. You can have any number of detectives for this mystery between 40 and 200. We would suggest a number greater than 200 to be too large an audience.

The mystery requires advance preparation, and several rehearsals. The more notice you have, and the more preparation and effort you put into running the mystery, the better it will run for you and your guests. You will need to liaise closely with the catering staff on the night so that they are familiar with the program and serve and clear at the right time.

Brief introduction to the format of these games.

This mystery is written to be acted out in one room. The guests will watch a series of acted out scenes and also have opportunity to quiz the cast first hand throughout the night and more formally at the end.

The cast are all required to learn their parts before the event. They will need to understand their character and be able to ad lib on the information given in their character background. Cast will need several rehearsals, and preferably one within the room to be used on the night to allow familiarity with the stage area (which is the entire room).

It is the role of the invited guests to act as detectives and try and solve the mystery and determine the killer. Once in the dining room the guests should each receive a guest hand out and have access to pens as well as an answer sheet for the group.

At the very end of the night opportunity is given for more formal questioning and only after this has occurred will the guests be asked to submit their answers.

The mystery closes when the solution is provided by the inspector.

How these games usually run.

(All times are approximate – cast should liaise with kitchen staff throughout the evening and vice versa.)

7.00pm On arrival guests should be greeted in character by the cast. If a separate room is available, such as a bar, where the guests can congregate before dinner then it is suggested that those three cast mingle with the guests in this room before they are conducted through for dinner.

7.30pm The guests are called through to the main dining room and seated.

7.35pm Round One Script.

7.45pm First course is served.

8.50pm Round 2 script.

8.10pm Plates are cleared from first course.

8.20pm Round 3 script.

8.30pm Main Course is served. Actors mingle with the guests giving them opportunity to ask them questions. Plates should be cleared as well before next round.

9.10pm Round 4 script – second death.

9.20pm Dessert is served. Actors mingle with the guests giving them opportunity to ask them questions. Plates should be cleared as well before next round.

9.50pm Round 5 script. Inspector asks guests at the end of this round to formulate some questions.

10.00pm Coffee / tea and formal questions session. At the end of the question session the inspector will ask the guests to complete their answer sheets and hand them in.

10.20pm Round six - solution.

Your job as host

Firstly make sure you have adequate time to prepare for the event, that all cast are happy with their scripts and that anything else you plan to run at the same time as the mystery e.g. refreshments, has been adequately thought through.

These mysteries are time consuming to prepare, and require a dedicated cast and several props as well as copying of a guest handout and answer sheet which should be available to each guest (with pens) on the night.

Before the event you will need to decorate the rooms, gather props, copy enough guest handouts for each attendee, and ensure that the cast have adequately rehearsed.

On the night it is your job as host to make sure all your guests are comfortable with what they are being asked to do, and that the event passes off without a hitch.

Although the guests will have been given their instructions, sometimes these are simply not enough, especially if they are nervous of their role in the mystery. As host it will be your job to make sure they understand what is expected of them.

Don’t forget to look after your cast! Acting is hard work.

Running a large group murder mystery is really not as difficult to do as you might think, and if you get stuck why not email us? We’re here to help after all!

Finally and most importantly: Have fun!