one4review | On 20, Aug 2025

Sometimes at the Fringe you stumble across a show that makes you grin from start to finish, and Locomotive for Murder is exactly that. Billed as an improvised whodunnit, it’s a fast-paced comedy ride with all the twists and turns of a classic murder mystery — except the entire plot is conjured up on the spot, fuelled by the audience’s suggestions.

The cast are extraordinary. Improvised theatre can so easily tip into chaos, but here every performer is razor-sharp, bouncing off each other’s ideas and spinning them into hilarious characters and scenarios that somehow still make sense as a mystery story. One moment they’re parodying Poirot-style detectives, the next they’re folding in absurd tangents from the crowd, all while never losing sight of the murder that needs to be solved. It’s playful, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Audience participation is handled brilliantly — interactive but never awkward, and it feels like everyone in the room is in on the joke. There’s also a remarkable knack for weaving in multiple threads without letting things unravel; even with all the silliness, the show builds towards a satisfying conclusion that actually works as a whodunnit.

It’s rare to see a show that combines such quick wit, genuine storytelling skill, and sheer fun. Suitable for anyone aged 12 and up, this is comedy theatre that appeals across generations. For me, it’s the best improvised show of the year — a joyous hour of clever nonsense I’d happily see again tomorrow.

Reviewed by Clair and Nina

Gilded Balloon Patter House,

15.30 – 16.30 util Aug 25