Words: Trudy Lynn
Image: Pamela Raith
4 Stars
As you’d expect for a company returning to the Fringe for their 12th year, the team behind Murder She Didn’t Write know exactly what they are doing. The set and the set up are equally impressive. The costumes are a perfect mix of 1930s fashion and Cluedo-esque bright colours. And each actor is clearly a skilled improviser who works well in the company.
Each day, the team take audience suggestions and enact a full improvised murder mystery in 70 minutes. There are jokes for the adults and for the kids (although do note it’s recommended 12+). They hit the beats of a standard murder mystery with a fair amount of silliness thrown in. All the characters could be suspects and the detective wraps up the nonsense quite neatly. The corpsing just adds to the hilarity of the piece.
Unfortunately, with such improvised shows, any performance relies on the fun and originality of the audience suggestions. The detective audibly groaned at the one given and yet it was chosen regardless. The cast valiantly attempted to make the scenario interesting and different and add in all sorts of fun but I suspect it was a constant suggestion for this Fringe run and they were bored of the concept.
The pianist is a lovely touch and the tech team seemed to be enjoying themselves as did the cast as they attempted to wind each other up and add in sillier physical comedy elements.
Silly, Agatha Christie/Sherlock Holmes/Cluedo inspired fun and it’s rather well done.
Murder, She Didn’t Write
Gordon Aikman Theatre at Assembly George Square
14:15
5 August – 31 August