Review: Murder, She Didn’t Write at Duchess Theatre
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)
Murder She Didn’t Write, the improvised murder mystery play, delivers an evening that is equal parts Agatha Christie homage and ridiculous comedy free-for-all. Playing select performances at the West End’s Duchess Theatre as part of its ongoing UK tour, this gleefully unhinged murder mystery guarantees an entertaining night out at the theatre.
The show begins by introducing us to Detective Ivor Hunch (on this occasion played by the quick-witted Stephen Clements). Hunch not only keeps the story moving but also ensures that the improvised madness maintains some kind of narrative thread. His first act of sleuthing is to recruit an assistant from the audience, chosen by launching a Sherlock Holmes-style deerstalker into the stalls. This clever device gives one audience member the power to shape the trajectory of the performance, while still leaving plenty of opportunities for everyone else to shout out suggestions that are incorporated into the story also.
From there, the cast spins an entire murder mystery out of the audience’s ideas. In the performance I saw, the murder unfolded during a 1930s radio dating show, with a scale model of the Titanic made of cake serving (improbably, but hilariously) as the murder weapon. The victim and culprit are secretly decided by Hunch’s assistant, meaning the rest of the audience spend the performance suspecting everyone until the final, satisfying reveal with all the suspects gathered together in true Poirot style.
The five-strong ensemble, each decked out in Lu Herbert’s Cluedo-inspired 1930s costumes with a signature colour for each character, are hysterical. Their chemistry and rapport with each other is clear to see, and some of the funniest moments come when they make each other break into laughter. The performers are masters of the “yes, and…” ethos of improvisation, seamlessly weaving callbacks, audience references, and absurd twists into a completely unhinged but highly entertaining story. It’s clear that no two performances of Murder She Didn’t Write could ever be the same, a fact confirmed by the many repeat visitors in the audience. The technical team also deserve massive credit: their ability to improvise alongside the cast, hitting lighting and music cues in real time, ensures the production always feels slick despite its chaotic premise.
With laughs, gasps, and surprises throughout, Murder She Didn’t Write is a show I can definitely see myself returning to for more chaos and hilarity!
Murder, She Didn’t Write returns to the Duchess Theatre in London on Monday 24th November 2025 as part of its UK tour.
Photos by Pamela Raith