Murder Mystery Dinner Trouble at T’Mill at the Alhambra Bradford Review
Murder Mystery Dinner
Trouble at T’Mill
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
13 August 2015
Reviewed by Sarah Woodhead
The role of the evening was to guess who was guilty and why. The venue was the Restaurant 1941 at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. Upon entering the Alhambra we waited in the bar there was a piece of paper on each table explaining the background of the story and introducing the characters there was plenty of time for a natter and a drink prior to going up the next floor to be seated in the Restaurant 1914.
As mentioned on the Alhambra website fancy dress was optional but the theme was evident, a few people had arrived in 1950s dresses myself been one of them however when we arrived the year it was set in was 1966.
It would have been nice to have seen some more props/deco or even had some 1960s music to set the scene were all sat at tables groups of 6 and 8 and there are 9-10 tables.
My friend and I didn’t know the 6 people who we were sat with but this didn’t make the slightest bit of difference we were happily introducing ourselves to each other when there was a loud bang of a gunfire followed by a sobbing hysterically drunk woman then the rest of the cast milled in and we all listened intently for clues. We have the victim, a father and businessman. We have 4 suspects; the victim’s wife, his son his daughter and a business associate.
We laughed and giggled among ourselves and await the arrival of the detective who runs the show.
The show is fast paced and you find yourself gripped in and involved straightaway you’re studying and cross examining the cast trying to work it out between your table.
It’s no easy feat for the cast who have to think on their feel and adlib their parts as they don’t know what he audience will throw at them.
It’s fantastic how wild some people’s imaginations are and fab how involved that people got.
Throughout the evening in between the courses you get opportunity to ask questions to the cast and interrogate them.
The detective selected people’s questions and answered what he could as did the cast.
The detective did a lot of repeating the questions to make sure we could all hear and what was asked.
You got to eat your courses in peace and natter between yourselves. At the tables towards the end of your course the detective would drop some evidence, letter based.
We had the chance to discuss said evidence and then interrogate the suspects. Pens and paper were provided for any note takers.
The starter main and desert we all beautiful and yummy and the only let down was the chocolates that came with the tea/coffee and out of 8 of us only one person likes theirs.
After desert there is more questioning and then a recap.
You’re handed out a form to fill in with your own personal thoughts on who was the killer and there is also some info about the company who run the show, It’s Murder After, filling in your forms the go off and read the forms and then come and reveal “whodunit”
I have to admit I expected a few more twists in the plot but I did without a doubt totally enjoy the show and I would defiantly attend another of the 25 performances available. These would make fab birthday party ideas or works Christmas do or even work team building exercises.
All in all a brilliant night was had by all and I would recommend it to anybody looking for an entertaining night out with a twist.
Rating: 4.5/5
For other Murder Mystery Dinners at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk.
The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | Box Office 01274 432000
