Looking for actors to volunteer for a fun murder mystery dinner gig:
Saturday, September 20, 6pm (call time 5pm)
Setting: The Club 120 Cellar Pub, a stylish underground jazz-era banquet hall in the 1920s. Candlelight flickers. Velvet curtains. Smoke curls above cocktail glasses. Glamour and secrets permeate the room.
Characters:
(all improv, some specific statements will be provided for each character who will give them to each table as they make their rounds)
Miss Vivian Starling – THE VICTIM
Once half of a famed magic act, Vivian became an international sensation as an occultist and spiritual medium, holding séances for socialites and starlets alike. She cultivated mystery and power — and plenty of enemies. She had agreed to perform an exclusive “Spiritual Ascension” series at Club 120, but has backed out in favor of a better deal elsewhere. This event, meant to introduce her spiritual act series at Club 120, is now the only time she will appear there, and she is announcing her new venue. Vivian is extremely full of herself, self-serving, and well-dressed.
Age 40+ Female, Well-dressed (actress supplies a 1920s-type dress – flashy, occult accents such as Egyptian beads)
She gives one speech at the beginning of the evening, gives a toast, her drink is poisoned so she dies dramatically, staying out of sight until curtain call.
Felix Dorian – The Magician (Motive: Rival)
A former stage partner of Vivian’s from her magician days. When Vivian moved on to the occult circuit, leaving Felix behind, he never rebounded and then became ill with essential tremors which he attempts to treat with Tremadone pills.
He goes table to table attempting to do a magic trick (flubs it) with shaking hands while giving his clues.
Male 40+ supplies suit or tux, with a flashy cummerbund, vest, or pocket square.
Teddy Walsh – The Waiter (Motive: Spurned Lover)
Charming and hopeful, Teddy was enamored with Vivian and believed she reciprocated. He even left his job and hometown to follow her while she was touring — only to be coldly discarded. He is now miserable and occasionally drinks to dull the pain.
He goes table to table pouring water while dropping clues.
Male 30+ (actor supplies white shirt, black pants, perhaps vest or jacket to look like a waiter)
Gloria Barnes – The Club Manager (Motive: Ruined Deal) – role filled
Owner and operator of The Club 120 Cellar Pub, Gloria is stylish, sharp-tongued, and under pressure to turn a profit. Counting on a hefty return, she promoted Vivian’s act heavily — printing posters, hiring musicians, even ordering new furniture — which has sunk her into debt.
She goes table to table checking with diners that all is well while dropping clues.
Female 40+ (actor supplies 1920s-type dress or suit, business-like rather than flashy or luxurious)
Maybelle Covington – The Activist Promoter (Motivation: humiliation) – role filled
A 1920s social reformer promoting the Divine Feminine, spirituality, and “New Age Women’s Expression.” Maybelle is wealthy and high social status who is a true believer. She initially championed Vivian as a modern mystic — until Vivian refused to endorse her movement and mocked her for her beliefs.
She goes table to table, passing out leaflets and dropping clues.
Female 40+ (actor supplies 1920s dress — on the classier side, but perhaps with occult accents such as Egyptian or Asian jewelry)
Sven Hjerson – The Detective – role filled
If you’re an Agatha Christie super fan, you’ll recognize the name. Sven’s been invited to the dinner and takes over the investigation of the murder by chatting with guests, narrowing down the suspects, and then deducing who the killer is.
The Flow:
As guests arrive,
- Teddy and Gloria will busy themselves with basic prep tasks. More directions later.
- Vivian and Maybelle, as guests, will mingle, make small talk, but avoid each other. More direction to come.
Susan, the (real) executive director at Oak Crest, will introduce Felix, who will introduce our guest of honor, Vivian, who will give a toast… and die.
There JUST SO HAPPENS to be a detective here as a guest and he will make a little speech, to the effect. nobody leaves, everbody’s a suspect, and we might as well eat until the authorities arrive. maybe we’ll even find our killer!
Courses begin flowing. Actual wait staff will serve guests. The 4 suspects will move from table to table, reaching about half of them during the first course.
Our intrepid detective will interrupt the dinner that he’s narrowed it down to these 4 but he needs to do a little more sleuthing.
Another course, and actors resume hitting tables w their hints. more to come.
The detective interrupts again: he has solved it. actors will be addressed in turn, and the killer will confess in a dramatic burst, then taken away.
Susan calls back the detective, suspects and dead Vivian for bows.
The Gig
Just the one evening plus one rehearsal. and a one-on-one with the director & producer. No pay; just for fun and to help Oak Crest, a non-profit needing to get more promotion of their facilities.
Questions?
contact Don Gingold – don@gingold.info or 630-621-0824