5 things people say or do to a ‘dead’ body at a murder mystery

A Murder Mystery is a fairly unique experience for most people and when faced with a ‘dead’ body, people do react differently. Having performed quite a number of Murder Mysteries over the last few years, we’ve realised that there is a definite Top Five when it comes to how people respond.

Poor Craig didn’t last long at our very special wedding Murder Mystery at Durn House. Yes, we performed at a wedding.

5. “They’re still breathing!"

I mean, yes. Yes I am. This one is often teamed with “Has anyone checked for a pulse? Haha!” I’m afraid I’m not THAT committed to the role - I’m not prepared to actually die for your entertainment this evening, sorry!

That was a cold floor…

4. Inappropriate touching

Just the other weekend, more than one person ticked my foot while I lay on the concrete floor at Peterhead Prison Museum (see above). I’m told they used a pen, thankfully - I’d been wandering around the prison barefoot all evening (blame the heels) and they were just about to eat their pudding… boak! We’ve also had bum squeezes, objects placed in inappropriate places, things you wouldn’t believe.

This is Mike at His Majesty’s Theatre. This is all Mike did that night. Mike asked if he could come along JUST to be the dead body!

3. “Oh good, I’m glad they’re dead”

We’ll take this one as a compliment to our fine actors that they made themselves so unlikable that no one cared that someone murdered them… otherwise it’s just sad.

Linny realised pretty quickly that it’s not a great idea to ‘die’ with your eyes open…

2. Taking a selfie

Not a photo, people take photos of evidence, crime scenes, etc all night. No no, selfies are a whole different ball game. Take our pal Linny for example. Poor Linny was murdered in a bath at our very first Murder Mystery event up at Durn House and she lost count of the number of people leaning in reeeeeal close for a selfie with her corpse. How close you ask? She was tipsy on the alcohol fumes… that close.

No caption necessary.

1. “That’s the most comfortable corpse I’ve ever seen”

There are two issues raised after we hear this one. Firstly, we’re not going to lie in a ridiculously uncomfortable position for your benefit. Remember, we have to hold said position from the moment the rest of the actors return to the guests, wait for them to realise there’s been a murder, drag everyone through to have a nosey, allow folk to poke and prod us, and only once we hear that everyone has gone, can we spring back to life (and I say spring… usually it takes a second for limbs to start working again). That is a long time even in a comfortable position… Secondly, and probably more crucially, how many corpses have you seen?!

So there you have it. Our top five reactions to a ‘dead’ body at a Murder Mystery. And may I just say, despite how this may sound, our actors are delighted when they read a new script and realise they get to be the body! And by all means, come along to one of our Murder Mysteries and give us a whole new reaction to cope with - we love a challenge! Just remember, these actors are people too. They all work really hard to give our audiences a great night and they deserve to be treated with respect - dead or alive!