one4review | On 09, Aug 2025

For those unfamiliar with daytime television, Murder, She Wrote was a cult American crime drama series from the 1980s and ’90s. Starring the late Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, a mystery writer and amateur detective, the show featured a wide array of famous guest actors.

Writer and director Tim Benzie, clearly a devoted fan of the series, has brilliantly deciphered the show’s formula for identifying the murderer before the episode’s conclusion. Through an interactive screening of the episode “A Fashionable Way To Die” Benzie engages the audience in solving this classic whodunit.

Benzie’s deep knowledge of the show reveals that the most famous guest actor is often the murderer. He guides the audience through key moments of the episode, encouraging participation at every turn. As he introduces each actor, Benzie provides background on their careers and invites the audience to vote on who they think is the most famous (and therefore, the likely culprit) using a homemade voting card provided at the start of the show. His “Fameometer,” ranking each cast member’s fame, cleverly transforms into a “Suspiciometer” as the mystery unfolds.

Adding to the campy fun is “Fingo,” a Murder-She-Wrote–inspired twist on bingo, where the audience checks off events from a board at the front of the stage as they unfold on screen. During the episode’s fashion show, the audience is prompted to shout “ooh la la” for stylish outfits or “sacre bleu!” for less successful ones—a cheeky touch that fits the tone perfectly.

The nostalgic touch of 1980s commercials during “commercial breaks” adds to the charm, transporting the audience back in time.

Benzie’s hilarious observations are what make this show truly entertaining. His transformation into Jessica Fletcher—complete with wig and outfit changes—adds a delightful layer of humour as the performance progresses.

The audience remains engaged and interactive throughout the entire performance, making this over-an-hour-long show well worth the ticket price. I highly recommend seeing this unique and fun-filled experience.

****

Reviewed by Lynn

Amphitheatre at the Space @ Symposium Hall

1st – 23rd (except 10th,17th)

20:15 (1hr 20mins)