The Show Must Go On!

The Show Must Go On! is an introductory murder mystery game set at the auditions for an amateur dramatics production of Romeo and Juliet for 9-13 people where the host can play too. It can be played in an hour.

Download the free introductory pdf file.

The Show Must Go On! is a short, introductory murder mystery full of amateur dramatics set in an English village. It is ideal as an introduction to our style of murder mystery, and can be played in no more than an hour. The host can even play as well! Everyone is in the middle of the action and it will be up to them to wheel and deal to get what they want. Will they and solve the mystery of The Show Must Go On?

Read game background - including cast list and agenda for the game.

In seven days, the curtain rises for the opening night of the Haberford Amateur Dramatic Society’s refreshing take on Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. However, one of their lead actors, Edna Crossley, was found dead two days ago: she had been murdered!

Now, with one week to go, the company meets in the village hall to find a replacement for Edna. Thanks to HADS’ inclusive casting policy, anyone can audition for any role—no matter their age, race, gender or experience. (Edna, playing teenage Juliet, was in her fifties.) Competition is likely to be fierce!

But why is Detective Morgan Camberwell here? Surely they can’t think that Edna’s murderer is here? Find out at The Show Must Go On!

The Show Must Go On! lasts for about an hour - you could even play it during a lunchbreak. Guests need to circulate and talk in private (and audition for Juliet), so if you are providing food, then finger-food or a buffet is ideal.

One of our more straightforward murder mystery games, suitable for beginner hosts.

No combat, no poison.

The host can either play one of the characters or can just be the host, as they prefer.

Characters are ungendered.

The free introductory pdf file contains an introduction to The Show Must Go On! and a cast list of all the characters.

Cast of characters

Haberford Amateur Dramatic Society

• Charlie Bates: Romeo and Juliet’s stage manager and retired carpet warehouse manager
• Marley Blaylock: Garage mechanic and Romeo and Juliet’s sound and lighting technician
• Jordan Evans: Primary school teacher and new HADS member
• Lennon Hall: Retired accountant
• Riley Jones: Parish councillor
• Hayden Kennedy: Retired milliner responsible for costumes and props
• Reese Mitchell: Romeo and Juliet’s director and senior executive
• Taylor Nolan: Red Lion publican and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet
• Rev Blake O’Neill: Haberford’s vicar and HADS board member (Membership Officer)
• Ellis Walsh: Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, HADS board member, and butcher
• Jules Wood: Retired IT manager and HADS board member

Others

• Morgan Camberwell: Police detective investigating Edna’s murder
• Avery Moon: Edna’s friend and author of the Aggie Marbles murder mystery novels

The Show Must Go On! is for 9 to 13 people. The roles are ungendered and anyone can play them. You also need a host – someone to organize the party and ensure everything runs smoothly (but they can also play a character).

How Freeform Games murder mystery games work

The Show Must Go On! is unlike other murder mystery games. Although the game involves a murder, each character has several goals they must try to accomplish. While they may want to solve the murder, The Show Must Go On! contains other plots to keep everyone busy. The Show Must Go On! isn't scripted, and lets the players decide how to achieve their goals.

On the evening of the game the guests are met by the organizer and welcomed to the Haberford village hall.

They then receive their detailed backgrounds. The fun then begins as they audition for Juliet, decide whether to erect a gazebo on the allotment and maybe even solve Edna Crossley's murder!

Finally, the game concludes and everyone finds out how they did, who the murderer was, and who secured the role of Juliet.

Recommended for ages 15+

We recommend The Show Must Go On! for those aged 15+, as it contains references to cannabis (which is illegal in the UK).

Extra characters

Sometimes you have too many guests and need more characters. So most games have free extra characters (written by us or previous hosts) included in the download when you purchase the game.

• Cameron Oaks – reporter and allotment owner (Any)
  (by Freeform Games)

Please note that we haven't always tested these – and they may not tie in exactly with our games.

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Cast Iron Guarantee

We offer a Cast Iron Guarantee on all our murder mystery games. If you're not completely satisfied with The Show Must Go On! then please let us know within 30 days and we will refund you. See our full terms and conditions, and our refund policy.

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