| I have been producing and performing in live | | | | a particularly creepy feeling to be chatting with |
| interactive murder mysteries since 1989. I have | | | | someone and then discover that they have been |
| seen these fun and exciting events executed - pun | | | | putting you on all evening. |
| intended - every which way. I have discovered | | | | I think the cold opening murder mystery falls more |
| there are many great ways to create an audience | | | | into the category of practical joke than that of good |
| participation murder mystery that will thrill the | | | | theater. I have seen that attendees feel fooled and |
| attendees and I have learned that there are some | | | | "punked" and that their party has been hijacked. It |
| definite no nos too. Don't get me wrong, I think | | | | wasn't the way they expected their evening to |
| that hosting a murder mystery party is one of the | | | | unfold. They were robbed by their host of the |
| absolute best and most memorable evenings that | | | | opportunity to prepare for the game. To keep in |
| you can have. People tell me all the time that they | | | | mind that murder mystery events are part game and |
| have never had so much fun as when they were | | | | part show is of paramount importance. Our murder |
| participating in one of my murder mysteries. | | | | mysteries are usually staffed with professional actors |
| One particular type of murder mystery event that | | | | and entertainers who's mission is to facilitate a |
| should be avoided is the cold opening murder | | | | thrilling, exciting,murder mystery experience for the |
| mystery. My company gets calls all the time from | | | | participants who are usually are not professional |
| people who feel it would be really fun to not tell their | | | | performers. That is a good reason to inform them |
| guests that they are at a murder mystery party until | | | | prior to the start of the party that they will be |
| the murder happens and the detective takes over. | | | | participating in a murder mystery. |
| They think it will have great shock value and their | | | | My experience over the years has been that when |
| guests will love them for it. While we have had a | | | | informed in advance, these party goers get very |
| few good experiences with the cold opening, I would | | | | excited and prepare. Some come dressed up! |
| say that results are mixed at best for this sort of | | | | Most are able to step into the mingling time with their |
| event. Guests often are shocked when this | | | | eyes and ears open, taking note of possible cold |
| happens but not always in a good way. Some | | | | blooded killers who may be in attendance with them! |
| people actually believe that the murder is real and | | | | Give your party attendees a heads up that they are |
| react in horror. Others get very angry that they | | | | coming to a murder mystery. They will have much |
| have been manipulated by the professional actors | | | | more fun and so will you. |
| that have been embedded in their group. It can be | | | | |