Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK! This time around we are talking about all things Edinburgh Fringe! We donned our detective caps and made our way to Murder She Didn’t Write at the Assembly George Square (Gordon Aikman Theatre). So sharpen your wits, gather around the clue board, and let’s piece together this whodunnit, Fringe style!
Disclaimer: I was gifted one free press ticket in exchange for an honest review of the show.
From the moment the cast took to the stage, the energy was infectious. In fact, Agatha Crusty (our host) was on stage as the audience filled the auditorium and created the kind of buzz you get when you know you’re about to witness some serious criminally good comedy. This isn’t your average murder mystery. Murder She Didn’t Write is entirely improvised, with the audience pulling the strings. They even set the scene, choose the victim, pick the murder weapon, and even decide whodunnit. No pressure, right?
The joy is that every single performance is unique. One night might feature a scandalous murder at a vegan cheese festival with a stray wheel of brie as the weapon or the next, and in my case, a suspicious death at a dog wedding involving a radioactive Jammy Dodger… you get the idea. The possibilities are endless, and that unpredictability is half the fun. The weirder, the better I say!
The acting and improv skills on display are nothing short of exceptional. The cast slip into outrageous characters faster than you can say “the butler did it”. They deliver sharp one-liners, perfectly timed physical comedy, and clever callbacks that make you wonder if they really are making it all up on the spot. I will never not find improv fantastically impressive!
Audience interaction is handled beautifully throughout. It’s smooth, good-humoured, and never crosses into that awkward territory where you want to slide under your seat. Whether you’re boldly shouting out a suggestion or happily letting someone else take the spotlight, the performers keep things inclusive and fun. Nobody gets interrogated against their will here, it’s all good, clean(ish) comedy.
Accessibility
The venue is welcoming and well laid out, with wheelchair access and clear sightlines. The pace is snappy, but the diction is crisp enough that you can keep up with even the most ridiculous plot twists. It is suitable for those over 12 as there may be sexually suggestive scenes or strong language involved. I didn’t find that this in the show that I attended, however, it may happen. There is also a signed performance available for those who have hearing difficulties, which we love to see.
Value for Money
On value for money, the ticket price sits at £18 (£17 concession). For just over an hour of high-energy, belly-laugh-inducing theatre that changes every day, it still feels like a worthwhile investment, especially if you’re looking for a show you could happily see again during the Fringe without ever catching the same mystery twice.
Murder She Didn’t Write is guilty of being hilarious, brilliantly acted, and shamelessly silly in all the best ways. A first-class whodunnit where the only crime would be missing it. Case closed!
Have Your Say
Have you been to the Edinburgh Fringe? Did you make it to Murder She Didn’t Write? Let me know in the comments and let’s get a discussion going.
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Jonathan Harper