Help solve Midsomer murders over dinner!

FOND of good ‘Who dunnit?’ Now’s your chance to help Inspector Barnaby solve two more murders in ‘Midsomer County’!

Mingle with the cast, act as witnesses, and decide who’s guilty! And you get to do all of this while enjoying a delicious three-course dinner!

On Friday, March 20, Thame Players will be performing their very own murder mystery play, A Deadly Midsomer Business, featuring Inspector Barnaby & Co, at the Spread Eagle Hotel, one of Thame’s most celebrated Midsomer Murders filming locations. The audience is invited to watch the play while enjoying a delicious three-course dinner and then decide who committed both the murders at the end.

Two murdered!

The action takes place at the annual shareholders’ party of prominent local company, Cummins & Gowins. During the party it becomes clear that each of the guests has a guilty secret they’d prefer to keep concealed from the other guests. When the Chairman of the company is murdered and his demise is soon followed by another murder, retired policeman DCI Barnaby is called in to investigate.

The plot involves lots of cunning twists and turns that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Towards the end, the audience are asked to help DCI Barnaby solve the two murders by acting as judge and jury and deciding who the guilty parties are.

Search for clues

Although in keeping with the Midsomer theme, the plot is highly murderous, this will be an evening of light-hearted entertainment, with plenty of corny jokes and innuendo along the way, while you watch for clues to identify the culprits.

Thame Players have performed their murder mystery plays at a wide range of locations previously, but this will be the first time they have performed at Thame’s Spread Eagle Hotel. Bryan Williams, the hotel’s General Manager, said: “I’m delighted that Thame Players will be performing at the Spread Eagle, which is quite fitting as the hotel is a celebrated Midsomer Murders filming location. We invite Midsomer fans from near and far to come and sample our excellent food and wine on March 20, while they help DCI Barnaby solve the murders.”

Historic setting

Mike Rochford, Director of A Deadly Midsomer Business, said: “Our murder mystery plays have been very popular over the years and we have had a lot of fun devising this one featuring DCI Barnaby. When you come to watch it, you will not just be experiencing fine acting by members of Thame Players, you will also be enjoying the hospitality of our leading historic hotel in Thame. Please come along and have fun while helping DCI Barnaby catch the murderers!’

How to book

Advance bookings for the March 20, show are going well, and it’s been decided to hold a second performance of A Deadly Midsomer Business, on Friday, June 19, so there’s a choice of two shows.

Book your place by calling 01844 213661 or emailing events@spreadeaglethame.co.uk. The all-inclusive price for a three-course dinner and entertainment by Thame Players is £35.00 per person. The bar is open from 7pm, and dinner is served from 8pm. The play is in two acts with a finale, and the action takes place between the three courses.