The party plays out like an interactive fantasy, costume, theme party within which a mock murder takes place. Huh? Well it's like this: The guests at the event get to participate in the fantasy plot by pretending to be characters in the story. Each participant improvises their role. There's no script to memorize (this isn't a play), just a character to crawl into and make your own.
And the fun part is that each person plays their role as they see fit: outrageously or mysteriously or just plain over the top. There's no pressure to perform, just plenty of room to be yourself. Oops, we mean someone else. It's a grown up game of "let's pretend."
The mystery, of course, is that one of the characters has motive to bump off one of the other characters and does in our very theatrical mock murder staged right before your eyes. Then our "killer" tries to get away "murder" while everyone gathers round and gets to play Sherlock. In audience participation style, the guests get to hunt up clues, interrogate suspects, put the pieces of our mystery puzzle together, and cast their vote for whodunit. And, it's all done under the watchful direction of a world famous detective who guides the group through their paces. Don't forget: each guest is also a potential suspect. After all someone is the room is guilty!
The solution is then revealed by our emceeing detective (along with the explanation and corroborating evidence - since this is a play for real mystery) and the guilty party is identified!
An awards presentation follows with lots of suitable for framing certificates.
In addition to the mystery that plays itself out during the course of our parties, we purposefully build in additional entertainment, subplots, activities, etc. to keep the party fun, busy and intriguing for all.
Entertainment is likely to include: characters who perform sing(lip sync), musical entertainment, dancing, perform hilarious feats of mind reading, fortune telling, to name just a few.
Activities are likely to include: built in gaming motifs with pay money, contests, interactive games, shows, intrigues, and subplots that everyone can participate in.
The general sequence of events for a party that runs approx. 4 hours is as follows: Guests arrive in character and step into our fantasy world as they engage in the activities of the setting and plot. Much hobnobbing and mingling ensues as characters gossip, drop hints, and eavesdrop on each other. This is a very social party with lots of guest interaction. Food is served (type optional), entertainment and activities are staged and approximately one half to two thirds of the way through the event, our mock murder takes place right before your eyes! The investigation follows and usually runs approx. 20 to 30 minutes. The awards presentation follows (This is optional and can be omitted).
All of the timed events are timed to the momentum of the party. There is a definite flow of activity, a sequence of events with a beginning, middle, and conclusion. Nothing is left to chance. All characters who need to carry out activities are clearly instructed as to what, how, and when, in their dossier kits.
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