10 YEARS OF MURDER VILLAGE

There’s something inherently thrilling about watching a mystery unfold live—particularly when no one on stage has learnt a script. Murder Village: An Improvised Whodunnit leans fully into this risk, delivering a cleverly constructed, audience-driven homage to Agatha Christie that is as unpredictable as it is entertaining.

From the moment the audience walks into the theatre they are immersed into the 1950s vibe thanks to a French detective, Monsieur Aragon Pewter (played by Lliam Amor—The Twelve, Escape From Pretoria), who warms the audience with his charming chatter and delightful accent.

The archetypes in Murder Village—eccentric villagers, hapless officials, and sharp-eyed sleuths—are lovingly rendered, evoking the familiar rhythms of a classic murder mystery while allowing plenty of room for comedic invention.

Be warned—once you see a Murder Village show, you may never want to attend a scripted play ever again! This is because the ensemble cast demonstrate an impressive command of character and story improvisation, crafting an hilarious narrative that feels remarkably cohesive given its spontaneous origins. Their ability to balance comedy with genuine suspense is a standout, particularly in moments where the story threatens to unravel—only to be pulled back together with deft callbacks and narrative payoffs. The format’s interactive element of including audience contribution of key details that shape the evening’s narrative adds an extra layer of engagement, making each performance entirely unique.

From left to right: Mark Grimes (pianist), David Massingham, Candice D’arcy, Lliam Amor, Kathryn Tohill, Rik Brown, and Jason Geary.

The most wonderful aspect of it being improvised is one can watch it again and again and never see a repeat of the same show. Each show the characters change, the murder weapon changes, and the key details and clues always change. On the second night of the season at 2026 Brisbane Comedy Festival, Teddy Brewster, an Earl of Wooster (played by Rik Brown) was murdered with a generational Christmas pudding in a tin. Brown offered one of the funniest physical callbacks of the show—a trampoline in his bridal suite, which most characters jumped on (figuratively and literally) at some point. And just like jumping on a trampoline, Brown didn’t miss a beat with his sharp wit.

Waldorf Wolf, a gentlemen thief, (played by Jason Geary—Thank God You’re Here) stole the biggest laugh of the night with a vivid physical reenactment about how his face was battered and how he ended up with frozen hands, escalating the absurdity with impeccable comic timing.

The token wealthy widow, Lady Clarissa Spalding (played by Candice D’arcy), deftly engineered some funny moments, most notably by repeatedly coaxing Agatha Pantha into reprising an improvised song, turning it into a running gag throughout the show.

The murderer, former child star Agatha Pantha (played by Kathryn Tohill), proved a deliciously unpredictable culprit, with Tohill’s finely tuned reactions to every interaction revealing a performer whose years of stage experience paid off in consistently sharp, comic beats.

Director David Massingham played Detective Inspector Owen Gullet and he co-narrated with Amor to expertly guide the narrative and keep the performers on track. The juxtaposition of two different detectives from two different countries cleverly showcased the versatility of these two improvisers, highlighting their skill in crafting distinctively memorable characters. Although Massingham doesn’t have as much physical stage time as the other improvisers, his presence is felt throughout, particularly in the framing device of the investigation, which anchors the more absurd elements of the piece.

Mark Grimes underscored the 60-minute-plus performance with a fully improvised live score, his musicianship masterfully shaping the mood, heightening suspense, and adding a richly textured layer to the production.

What makes Murder Village particularly compelling is its dual appeal: it satisfies fans of traditional whodunnits while also showcasing the technical skill and daring of high-level improvisation. The performers are not just chasing laughs; they are building a story in real time, complete with twists, misdirection, and a satisfying reveal.

Celebrating a decade of performances and over 250 shows, Murder Village has clearly honed its formula into something polished yet still wonderfully unpredictable. Whether you’re a seasoned improv enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good mystery, this is a theatrical experience that keeps you guessing—and laughing—until the very end.

Murder Village is at Brisbane Powerhouse for the 2026 Brisbane Comedy Festival from 22–24 April 2026.