Whodunnit Season
April – May 2024
Join us for tales of intrigue and suspicion, as we celebrate the beloved murder mystery genre here at Depot
The classic whodunnit would be set in a period country house where a murder is committed and a number of suspects are gathered. An alternative narrative leading up the crime is gradually unearthed by the sleuth through questioning and observation. Viewers may receive hints and clues and a second murder may be committed, ending in an explanation of the mystery and often discovering an unlikely culprit.
This structure was largely conceived by Agatha Christie but dramatisations of her novels have been dominated by television adaptations. To draw in an audience filmmakers have focused on leading actors, lavish production designs and exotic locations. But in addition the format has evolved into more complex territory including historical whodunnits and American “hard boiled” derivatives.
Depot’s season of Whodunnits includes: the a highly entertaining murder puzzle created by Stephen Sondheim and the actor Anthony Perkins called The Last of Sheila (Herbert Ross, 1973), Howard Hawks’ seminal The Big Sleep (1946) Finally we have the medieval whodunnit The Name of the Rose (Jean-Jacques Annaud, 1986 – booking coming soon) with Sean Connery, and finally – an Agatha Christie classic, Murder on the Orient Express (Sidney Lumet, 1974) featuring an all star cast of Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman.
Depot Chair of Trustees, Robert Senior, will also be hosting a talk in the Depot Studio exploring the history of the murder mystery on screen, and you can join us on Thursday 2 May for Depot’s first ever Murder Mystery Supper Club, where you’ll be wined, dined and tasked with solving a mystery that will unfold before your eyes as your enjoy a delicious three-course dinner – details below!
Murder Mystery Supper Club
Murder Mystery – Tinsel Town on the Tiles
Thursday 2 May
Depot Gallery & Cocktail Bar
£35 per head
Dress code: Classic Hollywood Glamour
Strictly 18+
18:00: Cocktail bar opens
19:00: Welcome drinks and event start
We cordially invite you to join us for an incredibly exciting first at Depot – our very own immersive murder mystery supper club, set at the height of classic Hollywood glamour! As a guest at the launch of a big budget movie, you’ll meet gangsters, Hollywood moguls, good time girls and more. Though be warned – a murderer is among you!
The evening will take the form of a three course, sit down dinner, where you will be guided through the mystery and action by your three Hollywood hosts.
We also ask some willing guests to get a little more involved and play a character alongside the actors at one point in the evening – all props are provided and no-one is ever put on the spot. If you don’t want to participate as a character, you can just relax, enjoy your meal and watch the mystery unfold!
Murder Mystery Dinners are hosted by professional actors and involve audience participation during the ‘larger-than-life’ theatrical performances to make up the cast and so that everyone feels part of the plot as events unfold.
Our events manager will be in contact after you’ve booked your tickets to confirm your menu choice for the meal, as well as any extra information you might need for the evening.
We look forward to welcoming you to the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood movie launch for an evening you’ll never forget!
Murder Mystery Menu
Starter
Feta and Asparagus Quiche
with dressed endive (V)
Main
Pan-Seared Cod
with new potatoes, charred corn and preserved lemon salsa
or
Miso Cauliflower steak
with new potatoes, charred corn and preserved lemon salsa
Dessert
Creme Brulee (V)
