Murder in the Roaring Twenties
(2013)(The second book in the Murder Mystery Plays series)
A Book by Frank Lean
* Organisers, are you stuck for an ENTERTAINMENT IDEA for your students, parishioners, social group, society, choir or whatever? Why not try an improvised murder mystery play? With a mid performance break for refreshments it's a pleasant way to pass an evening and even raise some funds!
* You will need a cast of twelve players (NO ACTING ABILITY is needed) and one of the twelve to be the MC to steer events and guide the audience. The twelve (apart from the MC) are all SUSPECTS in a murder investigation.
* Each character is given his or her 'part' but not those of other actors. There are NO LINES TO LEARN. The part is a complete description of where the character was when the murder took place and lots of suggestions and clues so that he or she can throw suspicion on the others and clear himself. The character is NOT ALLOWED TO TELL LIES.
*ONLY the actual murderer CAN LIE and this is how the audience become suspicious. Only the murderer knows that he or she is the murderer. The other actors don't. So don't pass the complete script around.
* FUN! It's fun dressing up and speaking with different accents.
* A MURDER MYSTERY evening will draw your group together and improve group interaction. Strictly speaking no rehearsal is necessary IF EACH PLAYER is prepared to master his CHARACTER (not his lines) and dress and speak in the role. It goes better with a rehearsal because it improves the performers confidence.
* It's a game of two halves! The first half is the performance, the second is the audience voting. The MC describes the crime and then the other eleven say their pieces. No scenery is necessary but that's up to you! Improvise! Then there's a refreshment break during which the actors circulate to each table and answer questions in character.
* Instructions and voting slips are supplied with the script.
* MURDER IN THE ROARING TWENTIES is also available as a printed book. If you buy a copy you have permission to PHOTOCOPY the actors parts which makes things easy. All you have to do then is organise a venue, actors, costumes and scenery (improvise!), some refreshments and go ahead. EASY!
* If there is a programme a mention of the author would be welcome! Enjoy!
* You will need a cast of twelve players (NO ACTING ABILITY is needed) and one of the twelve to be the MC to steer events and guide the audience. The twelve (apart from the MC) are all SUSPECTS in a murder investigation.
* Each character is given his or her 'part' but not those of other actors. There are NO LINES TO LEARN. The part is a complete description of where the character was when the murder took place and lots of suggestions and clues so that he or she can throw suspicion on the others and clear himself. The character is NOT ALLOWED TO TELL LIES.
*ONLY the actual murderer CAN LIE and this is how the audience become suspicious. Only the murderer knows that he or she is the murderer. The other actors don't. So don't pass the complete script around.
* FUN! It's fun dressing up and speaking with different accents.
* A MURDER MYSTERY evening will draw your group together and improve group interaction. Strictly speaking no rehearsal is necessary IF EACH PLAYER is prepared to master his CHARACTER (not his lines) and dress and speak in the role. It goes better with a rehearsal because it improves the performers confidence.
* It's a game of two halves! The first half is the performance, the second is the audience voting. The MC describes the crime and then the other eleven say their pieces. No scenery is necessary but that's up to you! Improvise! Then there's a refreshment break during which the actors circulate to each table and answer questions in character.
* Instructions and voting slips are supplied with the script.
* MURDER IN THE ROARING TWENTIES is also available as a printed book. If you buy a copy you have permission to PHOTOCOPY the actors parts which makes things easy. All you have to do then is organise a venue, actors, costumes and scenery (improvise!), some refreshments and go ahead. EASY!
* If there is a programme a mention of the author would be welcome! Enjoy!
Used availability for Frank Lean's Murder in the Roaring Twenties