Danyah Miller, star of The Mystery of Pleasance Two, explains what audiences should expect from the ground-breaking, brain-teasing, board game style theatre show she co-created with Dani Parr, in which the detective skills of young theatre-goers are essential to solving a murder and cracking the case – a real Whodunnit for Kids.
‘I’m really thrilled to be bringing our latest, award-winning, show to Pleasance Courtyard. A place that feels like home to me. This brain-teasing, board-game-style solo show puts the audience at the very centre of the action. Their skills are essential to solve the murder, and it’s usually the children who make the sharpest detectives, asking both piercing and crazy questions in turn.
‘As we begin, I open the box as Games Host before being cast in the role of a rather inept and bumbling police officer, Constable Newbie, swearing in my Trainee Detectives – the audience.
‘There’s been a murder at the theatre. The star of the show, internet sensation Chloe Branding, has been killed. We examine evidence, listen to audio clues, inspect video footage and interrogate suspects together. The roll of a dice and the picking of cards (shuffled in advance) really does make this a game of chance and intrigue.
‘A special part of the show is our digital cast, blending live theatre with filmed storytelling. I was particularly thrilled that my dear friend Sophie Aldred agreed to join us as Dame Olivia Stratford – theatre royalty. Sophie is, of course, beloved by generations as Ace from Doctor Who.
“I’m so happy to be involved in this wonderful piece, having cut my teeth in theatre for children and families many years ago. Children are, after all, the best audiences and the theatre makers and goers of the future” – Sophie Aldred
‘I love the spontaneity and jeopardy, particularly as I never really know if we’ll choose the right culprit by the end of the show. If you like the sound of a Cluedo-style board game, mixed with escape room and a little murder mystery, then this is the show for you
‘The making of this production draws on a combined 100 years theatre-making experience of the core creative team; director Dani Parr, designer Kate Bunce and me. There are playful nods to our theatre world, from our grumpy-but-brilliantly committed stage manager Ryan Flattage to the shy dresser Kitty Backstitch, though no insider knowledge is needed to enjoy the show.’
Miller, who was also the first female theatre manager of the London Palladium, continues, “We rehearsed and opened this production in London. It was a brain-buzzing challenge for us to devise a satisfying mystery plot, but with improv, tech and music at its centre. The show pieces itself together over three rounds.
‘The audience votes between each round, with the final decision coming just before I open the Who Did It? envelope, present since the start of the game. What I enjoy most throughout the show is hearing the families whispering to each other, trying to work out who did it, before that all important final vote.
It’s a playful, laugh out loud and somewhat cliff-hanger of a show. When I open that Who Did It? envelope perhaps the question shouldn’t be Who Did It but How? And, as with all great board games, the ending isn’t always the same… but ssshh, don’t tell. We need you to get involved and get it solved.’
The Mystery Of Pleasance Two runs at Pleasance Courtyard, 5-16 August (not 12), 12pm (65 mins).
Full details and tickets HERE
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Hi Richard,
Many thanks for your message. I’m afraid we only review professional productions on MustSeeTheatre.com.
Best regards
Liam