Murdering The Text

Signing Off

2012-06-20T10:56:00.001-07:00

This blog has now been integrated into the Murdering The Text website.

You can also find us on Facebook here.

All the best,
Fiona
Murdering The Text

The Heath Players present

2012-03-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Blunt End

The school midsummer pageant goes awry as Miss Blunt, headmistress from Hell, makes much ado about nothing and is found dead amongst the daisies.

Seating is at tables of six. A three course meal will be served with a vegetarian option. The venue has disabled access, free parking and a licensed bar.

Dates: 20th and 21st April 2012, starting at 8.00 pm.

Venue: East Malling Institute, Mill Street, East Malling, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6DB.

Tickets: £12.00 including admission and a three course meal. Concessions are £10.00.

Box Office: Contact Peter Coombs on 01622 717491 or visit www.theheathplayers.com

Happy Mother's Day

2012-03-18T05:34:00.004-07:00

The Purley Players present

2012-03-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

CROWNING GLORY

Our newest play is due for its first outing this summer. Based around the coronation in 1953, 'Crowning Glory' will be performed as part of the Purley on Thames celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Featuring a theft rather than a murder, the play will be performed at the Barn, Purley on Thames, on 1st and 2nd June 2012.

The play is of course the main event but there will also be stalls, a bar and Morris dancers, all in keeping with the 1950s era. The ticket includes admission, a three course 1950s coronation supper and a coronation day quiz. The audience is invited to join in the vintage fun by dressing in 1953 costumes.

Tickets go on sale at the Farmers market on 14th April along with tickets and entry forms for all events over the Diamond Jubilee celebration weekend in Purley on Thames.

Dates: Friday, 1st and Saturday, 2nd June, from 7.00 pm.

Venue: The Barn, Purley on Thames, Reading, West Berkshire.

Tickets: £13.00 which includes admission, three course supper and quiz.

Box office: Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, 14th April 2012 at the Farmers Market. Alternatively, ring Marjorie from 6.00 pm on weekdays on 941 8856, or email tickets@purleyplayers.org.uk

KO's and St George's Players present

2012-03-07T02:34:00.003-08:00

THE CROSSED SWORDS

Set in the 1960s, the peace and quiet of a Yorkshire country tavern is destroyed by the murder of a most unlikeable and professionally nosey character.

Saturday, 21st April 2012, starting at 7.30 pm.

Venue: St George's Church Hall, Elstan Way, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 7PR.

Tickets: £12.00 for admission and supper.

Box Office: Ring Brian Morgan on 020 8654 8752.

Murderous Music

2012-02-23T01:54:00.000-08:00

The first play we wrote, The Tangled Web, features a rich and many times widow, Lady Delilah Remington-Fox who is in the process of being courted by her most recent (and much younger) suitor. Without wanting to give away the entire plot of the play, here's a song that we drew from heavily in our portrayal of Delilah. Enjoy.

Comedy - Romance - Suspense

2012-02-14T04:39:00.001-08:00

That's how this vintage trailer for Charade begins.

Don't Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn made a wonderful couple, in the end? Happy Valentine's Day.

Dringhouses Dramatic Society presents 'Bringing Down The House'

2012-01-30T02:50:00.000-08:00

The time has come to say goodbye to the old church hall, much to the alarm of the janitor, the cleaners, the am dram director... the list is endless. Will Trinny find a new home for her brownies? Could there be something suspicious in the cellar? And is the vicar as innocent as she seems?

On: Saturday, 17th March 2012, starting at 6.30 pm.

Venue: St Olave's School, Clifton, York, YO30 6AB.

Tickets: £10.00 (£5.00 for children), includes entrance and a two course hot supper.

Box Office: St Olave's PTA via the school office, 01904 527416.

Sponsored by the Co-op.

Snowed Under

2011-12-30T02:58:00.000-08:00

We actually don't have snow here but we are incredibly busy.The process of settling into a new house has meant that while we're back online, normal service is not fully restored at Murdering The Text.

For the time being, we can still only offer emailed copies until our office is properly set up. We also can't change the address on our website at the moment so if you would like to send us a cheque in the post, please contact us at fiona@murderingthetext.co.uk for our new address.

Development of our new website is on hold, probably until the spring and we've been unable to send out the last couple of newsletters too.

Thank you for your patience and all the best for a wonderful new year.

Festive Wishes from Murdering the Text

2011-12-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas is almost here.

All the best for a wonderful day and a prosperous new year.

We are moving!

2011-12-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

In the run up to Christmas, Murdering The Text will be virtually offline (except for occasional visits to McDonalds to use their free wifi internet connection) while we move house.If you'd like to purchase a script in December, we can only provide emailed copies until the new year when our office will be fully unpacked. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T00:10:00.000-07:00

Have a spooky one.

The Heath Players

2011-10-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

We have a new entry on our list of amateur dramatic groups available for hire. The wonderful Heath Players cover the West Kent area but would consider East Kent and East Sussex. You can contact them through their chairman, Vanessa Johnson on vanessa_johnson61@hotmail.com or their secretary, Peter Coombs on coombspeter@hotmail.com. Have a look at their website to get a taste for their shows.

Our 'Crowning Glory' is complete

2011-10-07T03:06:00.000-07:00

Our latest script 'Crowning Glory' is now finished. It's taken us the summer (plus a few weeks in autumn) and a whole array of historical research (rationing, the financial state of the UK in the 1950s, tea trolleys) to complete this historical script but the end result is a mystery play (no murder in this one) which will hopefully be as much fun to perform as it has been to pen.

Based in 1953 around the coronation celebrations, 'Crowning Glory' sees the local coronation carnival steering committee join with Lord and Lady Smythe-Jones to produce a day that nobody will forget.

Written for the Purley Players, this play is an ideal production for any group who have a whole host of vintage props and costumes to hand.

We'll let you have details of the Purley Players production nearer the time.

Happy Birthday Agatha

2011-09-15T05:06:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Our wonderful lady of murder, mystery and mayhem would have been 121 years old today. Born in 1890 in Torquay, England, she was a prolific writer (66 novels plus numerous short story collections and plays).

I wonder what she would have thought if she had lived to see how popular her fiction became and still is.

Happy Birthday, Agatha - thank you for the inspiration.

Working with you

2011-08-05T04:44:00.000-07:00

I've previously told you about our custom written scripts. This is a service whereby we can write a murder mystery event script or full length script to suit your group's needs and resources. We can take into account your cast, your stage and your theme, among other considerations.

One thing we haven't mentioned in the past, is that we can also work to flesh out your own storyline. Here are ways in which we can incorporate your ideas into a script:

If you have chosen a particular period (e.g. 1960s) or a historical event (e.g. coronation day) for your play to be themed around, we will do the necessary research to not only write a play for you but we will also be happy to share our research with you for your own needs.
You have an idea for a storyline but are not quite sure how to write it down. We're happy to use your storyline as a basis for your play.
You've thought up a wonderful set of characters, maybe based around your available cast, but are not sure how they could be put to work. Send them over to us and we'll write a play around them.

All of our custom written plays are created in discussion with you, the client. If your cast changes over the course of writing, we'll change our character list. If your play is relocated, we'll re-write to suit your new stage. After all, this is as much your play as it is ours.

Strangemoo is getting all theatrical

2011-07-17T03:55:00.000-07:00

Want to tell the world who you are? Then look no further than the Strangemoo online store who now stock a range of theatrical t-shirts and gifts.

Maybe you're the 'Star' of the show, or the 'Director' or part of the 'Backstage Crew'. Strangemoo stock t-shirts, hats and more.

And don't forget that they also stock 'Waxworks of Horror' merchandise too.

Visit them now to see if there's a hat (or top) that fits.

Backstage Crew Hat by Strangemoo
See more Backstage Hats

Dame Mug by Strangemoo
Design stainless travel mugs online at zazzle

Director and Masks Mens T-shirt by Strangemoo
Browse other Director T-Shirts

Leading Man by Strangemoo
Use Zazzle's online button maker

Leading Lady by Strangemoo
Create a Travel mug on zazzle

Principal Boy Ladies T-shirt by Strangemoo
Use Zazzle's t shirt designer

Principal Girl Ladies T-shirt by Strangemoo
Make custom tee shirts at zazzle.co.uk

Producer Black Men's T-shirt by Strangemoo
Browse other t-shirt designs made on zazzle.co.uk

Summer Newsletter

2011-07-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

At last it's here! The delayed summer newsletter is now online.

Have a look.

Seaton Drama Group presents

2011-06-21T03:26:00.000-07:00

Off The Rails

Rachel Rails throws many a cog in the works as she takes over as the new controller of Ardington Railway Station. As if that isn't enough upset for one day, Duchy the cleaner is for the chop and there's a mysterious passenger hanging around with the head of security.

Date: Thursday, 1st September 2011 starting at 7.30 pm.

Venue: Town Hall, Fore Street, Seaton, Devon.

Tickets cost £2.00 and can be purchased at the Town Hall Box Office (01297 625699) or on the door.

This performance is part of the 100th Seaton Carnival.

Pricing Change

2011-06-21T02:39:00.000-07:00

Summers aren't like they used to be, policeman get younger and it costs more to send a letter every year but the news isn't all bad.

The good news is that the cost of an emailed copy of our scripts and our royalty fees remain the same. The less good news is that due to the increase in the price of first class postage, we will now be charging £8.50 to post your murder mystery pack should you choose this delivery option.

Murder Mystery pack
Emailed copy (in .pdf format) costs £65.00
Posted copy (first class mail) costs £65.00 + £8.50 = £73.50

Full Length Play script pack
Emailed copy (in .pdf format) costs £85.00
Posted copy (first class mail) costs £85.00 + £8.50 = £93.50

All other costs (repeat royalty fees, additional murderers and writing fees) remain the same.

For full details, visit our pricing, payment and delivery page.

Sorry

2011-06-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Normally by this time (well, actually about two weeks ago) I would have announced that the summer newsletter was out. However I'm still writing a new murder mystery and would like to use the newsletter to tell you all about the finished item. The summer newsletter will therefore be with you at the beginning of July.

I've also been commissioned to write a 1950s crime mystery for a production next year. Fingers crossed I'll have news of that play for you in the autumn newsletter.

In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend and enjoy this clip of Inspector Clouseau at his best.

Does Your Dog Bite?

The Heath Players present

2011-05-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

On Her Way Out

There's nothing quite like a nice bracing weekend at an outward bound centre to bring the team together - or is there?

A murder mystery evening performed by the Youth Section of the Heath Players, with backstage, front of house and catering support in the hands of the 'Old Stagers'.

Performance starts at 8.00 pm on 16th July 2011.

Venue: East Malling Institute, Mill Street, East Malling, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6DB.

Tickets cost £12.00 for entrance and a three course supper, and can be purchased through ringing Peter Coombs on 01622 717491.

Visit the groups website at www.theheathplayers.com

Setting the scene

2011-05-11T02:27:00.000-07:00

An integral part of any theatre performance - and an often forgotten member of the cast - is your stage setting. It adds depth to the magic of any show, whether your stage is set back behind a proscenium arch, thrusting out into your audience or in an outdoor setting. Amateur groups in particular have the added challenge of balancing cost with effect, creating a fitting backdrop for their performances without emptying the coffers. Flats (stand alone pieces of set) are demolished, reshaped and repainted; scenery panels are similarly refurbished and props are put to further use. I have been lucky enough to meet some marvellous teams of set designers and builders, individuals who put their hearts into researching their sets, weighing up the costs and resources to hand, and using their construction talents to create fine, polished end results. There is a downside to such enthusiasm however.

Many years ago, I attended a performance of one of our murder mysteries, 'The Crossed Swords'. The play is set in the 1960s, in a Yorkshire countryside tavern. As with all of our plays, we wrote 'Crossed Swords' to include the barest of props, the only exception being the need for a bar and a chair with a broken base. Other than that, nothing would be difficult to come by. The majority of the furniture and props would most likely be part of any group's existing stock. Suitcases could be supplied by cast members as could clothes.

This particular group were known to be quite wealthy, with a large membership, and also quite traditional in their performances. There's nothing wrong with any of these qualities but they no doubt coloured the group's approach to producing our play. Rather than realising the opportunity to create a low cost and thus profitable event, they treated the play like they would any other, spending as much on it as they would for a normal production. The result was an outstanding, authentic stage set that would have suited a professional, city theatre. A lot of time and energy had obviously gone into its construction and the choosing of props and costumes. It all looked marvelous.

We had a wonderful evening. Every seat was filled (in fact they had to turn some people away who arrived without tickets). The buffet was first class and there was plenty of wine to be had (plus soft drinks for the drivers of course). The compere did an excellent job, welcoming the audience and rousing them into questioning the suspects. All in all, everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

A couple of weeks later, I spoke to the director of the show who told me how much they had enjoyed performing the play and that the village was still talking about it all. Unfortunately, after tallying up takings against expenses, they found out that the group had not made the profit they had hoped for. They had, in fact, made a loss.

Our plays are written to be low cost events that help you raise sufficient funds to stage the plays you 'want' to perform. Keep your expensive sets and costume hire for your major productions and dust off the black curtains for murder mystery nights.

The Quaintwood Players present

2011-04-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

Off The Rails

Rachel Rails throws many a cog in the works as she takes over as the new controller of Quainton Road Railway Station. As if that isn't enough upset for one day, Duchy the cleaner is for the chop and there's a mysterious passenger hanging around with the head of security.

Saturday, 14th May 2011.
Doors open at 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start. 10.00 pm finish.
Venue: Waddesdon School Hall, Waddesdon C of E School, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0LQ.
Tickets: £7 each including a ploughmans supper. There will also be a bar and raffle. Please book in advance.
Box Office: Email wsa@waddesdonschool.com or telephone Helen, Waddesdon School Association on 01296 670223.

Cheques to Finance Office marked 'WSA Murder Mystery', made payable to Waddesdon CE School Fund. Tickets £6 each when buying 4 or more. Tickets will be collected on the door.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-04-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

We'd just like to say to all the mums, have the best of days. Put your feet up and allow yourself to be spoiled. You deserve it.