ORT tours Caribbean murder mystery

 

Murder at Cafe Noir promises to be an evening of pure escapism – in the Caribbean.

After the success of last year’s murder mystery dinner show, Otamatea Repertory Theatre has decided to tour another interactive show around Northland – Paparoa, Kaiwaka, Waipu, Wellsford, Maungaturoto and Mangawhai.

Murder at Cafe Noir pays homage to the Bogart movies, and the audience is not only in the middle of the action, they also help Rick Archer PI decide on his next move, and shape the course of events for the evening.

Written by award winning playwright, David Landau, who wrote last year’s show The Altos, the play is one of Landau’s first dinner theatre works and remains one of the most enduring.

Audience members are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Caribbean theme by dressing up in their best colourful attire. Getting a group of friends together is a guaranteed way of making sure you have a great evening – two heads are better than one for figuring out whodunnit!

Director Peter Matheson has had considerable experience on the stage, most recently playing the Ghost of Jacob Marley in ORT’s A Christmas Carol.

“Being an actor in interactive theatre is ‘scary fun’,” he says. “Actors need to keep their wits about them as the show unfolds. Interactive theatre includes the audience in the midst of the action, and this creates an environment where anything may happen.”

Bookings close off two days prior to each show, as the caterer needs to have numbers in advance. Mangawhai’s venue is the Mangawhai Domain Hall on Friday March 11 – bookings at Bammas Surf and Leisure. All venues can be booked online. Details are on the theatre’s website www.ort.org.nz.

Another show to keep in mind is Michelle A’Court’s Stuff I Forgot to Tell My Daughter. This R18 show will be hosted by Otamatea Repertory Theatre in Maungaturoto on Thursday March 17, 7.30pm, at the start of A’Court’s nationwide tour. Adults $20 and Gold Card $18, bookings on the door or online at www.ort.org.nz.

DINNER THEATRE: Audiences are encouraged to dress up for the dinner and mystery show.