Created by Pinch Punch
The vast array of improv shows and murder mysteries where the audience are asked to turn detective and solve the crime, come together in Pinch Punch’s Locomotive for Murder.
Taking away the risk of plotless meanderings that can be a feature of the former and too much time reading through clues and making notes to actually watch the actors that can happen in the latter, this is a very well-structured production with a clear story line that the audience input into and the actors then apply their suggestions to.
Set on a train in the 1920s where a murder is about to take place and a detective with a moustache will be on hand to solve, there’s an immediate base for the actors to build on and stereotypes for them to parody, but the destination of the train, and the back stories of its passengers are in the hands of the audience.
It can always throw up some interesting never to be repeated combinations including a trip to Endor to rescue Ewoks and use them as a life model’s weapons against Star Wars characters or support for an Aristocrat dolphin enthusiast from Cromarty, as happened on this occasion.
The four actors that take on the roles alongside Detective Hugh Dunnit never miss a beat as they run with every suggestion that comes their way creating characters, situations and attitudes that they stick with and build on throughout embracing the ridiculousness of everything that comes their way. The Detective himself is superb at setting the scene, leading the audience interaction and holding the whole thing together.
The first half of the show is all about building the story and the characters, getting the audience actively involved and leading up to the moment when the murder will occur. Motives don’t emerge until the body is discovered, largely because the cast don’t know who the victim will be until the audience decide. They also don’t know who the killer will be until the three remaining passengers get their tickets. Even then, only the killer knows for certain who the guilty party is.
The improvised scenes where the final confrontations, long buried secrets and thwarted ambitions emerge are superb to watch as the actors take on audience suggestions possibly selected on the basis of which one might be the most far-fetched and fun suggestion to play out.
Played out with endless enthusiasm, superb timing and an unrivalled understanding of what make classic comedy improv, the show is a joy to watch and one you know will be almost completely different if you come back again.
Runs until 26 August 2024 (not 14th) | Image: Contributed
