Murder Mystery
1990s-present · International
Also known as Improvised Murder Mystery, Chain Murder Mystery
A full-length improvised whodunit — characters gather, blackout, a body, a detective, red herrings, and a reveal all generated live.
Known for
- Standard opening: cast gathers at a social event (party, dinner, train); lights go out; a victim is found dead.
- Often runs 90-120 minutes to accommodate investigation arc and reveal.
- Ensemble-based with rotating POV — detective, victim's confidants, suspects.
- Widely used as a festival centerpiece and as a transferable class project at narrative-focused theaters.
Connected to
Sources
Referenced by
Forms