Special Events

     Murder mystery  - August 05.

The theme was - The Wedding. 8 Professional Actors and 40 Guests.

Great fun. I haven't laughed so much in years! Sorry about the quality of the pictures. They were taken on my phone!

Murder is no laughing matter!	The best man takes a tumble	The Body is Discovered!
The best wedding we've seen in years	The guests interrogate the suspects

Independent review!

If you’re like me, you’ll be forever in search of something a little different to do on a night out. Well I believe the Candlelight Theatre Company might just have the solution. A rain-swept evening in late August began like any other. We ordered an aperitif in the comfort of the Woodlands Hotel, Sidmouth. Only tonight murder was on the cards aside from the usual delights of an a la carte menu. The fun started the moment our cast, suited and booted, mingled among us. Yet be warned – I wasn’t! - for you must pay full attention as the plot is unravelled ad-lib. We met the blossoming bride and her groom, wonderfully introduced by the ever eccentric Mrs Barratt, his mother. Pleased as punch she was! The mention of a merger was met with a glass of champagne to toast the happy couple. The joining of two families mirrored the amalgamation of two companies it would seem..? As the wine flowed and noise levels grew more intense, so too the friction between each party escalated - an ambience personified by our best man. Funny but we disliked him instantly! Would he kick the bucket? As guests, we were next ushered into the dining room to tuck into a fabulous menu that would shame many a reception. And whether you’d come for dinner, a drink or indeed both, it seemed unimportant. My girlfriend and I were seated at a candlelit table for two - all very romantic! - as the actors stuck admirably to their scripts. Strange, but at the back of my mind I found myself waiting for the moment... Suffice to say that the body on the stairwell was pretty convincing. Some of the guests took it in turns to prod it! Desert was met with the appearance of the boisterous Inspector Force who quizzed the wedding party on our behalf. As we retired for coffee in the lobby, you might be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled onto the set of an Hercule Periot mystery. The floor was open. We each questionned our suspects, putting forward both the plausible and damn right unplausible! Who’d done it?! That would be telling... I’d recommend CTC to anyone who fancies something a little more interactive as well as social on an evening. We had a fantastic time - a real giggle - despite waking up with a sore head the next day. Much like your average wedding complete with bickering relatives and a family showdown to top them all!

Tony Pinkham, freelance writer.

September 2nd 2005.