Review: Murder She Didn't Write: You just can’t say no at The Duchess Theatre
Degrees of Error takes the Agatha Christie style murder mystery and completely satirises it in Murder She Didn’t Write. The completely improvised play follows five Cluedo-like characters in colourful outfits as they attempt to create a feasible murder mystery plot. The victim, murderer, murder weapon and location are all chosen at random by the audience. You are actively encouraged to shout out suggestions and one lucky member of the audience, dubbed Jerkins, chooses the crucial elements to the plot.
The joy of this production is that you never know what you’re going to get on the night. You could watch Violet Violet kill Miss Gold with a revolver at a Love Island recoupling, or in my case you could see how Henri Vert uses an ever-growing cucumber to take out Rodger Red on a school trip. Even the actors performing could be five of 12 in the Degrees of Errors troupe, which adds suitably to the surprise.
Murder She Didn't Write. Pamela Raith Photography.
This is a wonderfully cheeky production - it knows exactly what it’s doing, and it invites you to laugh with it. Murder She Didn’t Write mocks everything: the format of a traditional play, the audience, the actors, and murder itself. Similar to BBC’s Ludwig, or an Agatha Christie murder, we are granted space from the act of murder and death itself. It’s pure escapism tied up in a neat little bow and gifted with a knowing smile.
The play’s strength comes in the actor’s ability to improvise, to look for plot holes, and the ability to make each other look ridiculous. I particularly liked the pompous narrator, Agatha Crusty, who stops the action with comments like “I thought you could speak Latin too” or asking characters to “elaborate on what happened in 1812” when the year was brought up. The whole thing feels like a ludicrous game, but one you’re very much invited to take part in.
You do have to be prepared that sometimes the improv doesn't quite work - actors will fumble their words or say jokes which don't land, but that's part of the fun. This is how it keeps its Edinburgh-fringe like quality. Clever light changes and live music keep this play moving when the improv isn’t quite working – it’s “Play” in all senses of the word. There’s enough audience involvement to make it stand out, but not too much that you feel like you’re at the panto.
Murder She Didn't Write. Pamela Raith Photography.
A refreshing change from traditional theatre - my only criticism is that this potentially feels slightly out of place in a formal London setting with usually strict theatre etiquette. But, breaking that taboo only adds to the naughtiness.
The level of improvisation and ability to take random suggestions and create a somewhat logical plot requires unbelievable talent. It might not be the best or funniest thing you’ve ever seen, but it is undeniably clever.
Murder She Didn’t Write is misbehaviour live on stage peppered with self-awareness and unbelievably good writing. This isn't a fad, this isn't sloppy - it’s naughty and scathingly witty. The first rule of improv is “never say no”, and you certainly shouldn’t say no to this production.
Date: 24 March 2025. Murder, She Didn’t Write returns to the West End on 19 May 2025 and will tour the UK until 12 June 2025. Duration: 2 hours. Location: Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, London WC2B 5L. Price: from £19.50 + £1.50 restoration levy. murdershedidntwrite.com.
Review by Charlotte Dixon
