Murder, She Didn’t Write – Duchess Theatre

Last Updated on June 13, 2026

Lots of laughs at this improvised murder mystery

4.0 out of 5.0 stars

Having been a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for over ten years, Murder, She Didn’t Write kicked off its UK tour last night at the Duchess Theatre in the West End. Improv company Degrees of Error’s experience and expertise is very evident and the reason why the show is a lot of fun, and well as successfully working despite the level of control that’s bravely handed over to the audience. Set in 1934, it’s a whodunnit with characters wearing Cluedo-esque monochrome outfits, each in a different colour that also serves as their surname, e.g. Priscilla Gold, Roger Red. The story is entirely improvised, with the audience choosing the scenario, murder weapon, victim and murderer. 

The cast changes each performance but includes six members. One, playing the detective – last night it was Stephen Clements – acts essentially as the emcee and narrator, beginning the show by setting up the format with the audience, and remaining on the side of the stage throughout to stop and start the action. The other five cast members play the murder victim and suspects.

Part of the Detective’s role is to choose his assistant, Jerkins. This was done by throwing a deerstalker hat into the audience. The man who caught it last night, our Jerkins, was a willing participant who gamely wore the hat the entire show. The audience was then asked to shout out suggestions for an event at which the murder will take place, with the Detective asking Jerkins to choose one option from a curated selection. The same process then occurred for the murder weapon (ours was a miniature model of the Titanic), and then Jerkins alone had to choose something special about the murder weapon (it was made of cake). 

Last night the event chosen was a dating show which, as the Detective said, was an interesting choice for the time period.  When the first two of the cast members playing out the story came on, they deftly handled this choice by making it a BBC radio show in which there was one dedicated microphone for numbers, and one for names and other words. Once the characters and scenario had been established, Jerkins got to secretively select the murder victim, and later the murderer, with his choices being shown to the cast. The first act ended with the murder. In the second act the detective, who has been taking notes, entered the scene. He went through each of the suspects, going through why they weren’t the murderer, before making an accusation and presenting his evidence.

The team that performed last night had a great rapport and confidence that allowed them not just to develop ideas quickly, but to challenge each other to their and our amusement. The show consisted of well-loved improv tropes that were enjoyable to watch: call-backs to other ideas from the audience that hadn’t been chosen; recalling rhyming passages from an imaginary book; listing different types of a certain category; acting out physical scenarios; and an improvised solo song and dance routine. There were many great puns and double entendres, with the show’s co-developer Lizzy Skrzypic in particular hilariously bringing quite a lot of smut to the proceedings. 

Murder, She Didn’t Write is however somewhat of a victim to its own structure. Quite a lot of exposition needs to be set up, especially in the second act when the motives are established, mainly through flashbacks. This at times felt a bit forced and not entirely improv at its best and freest. There were some interesting and intelligent moments of emotional connection that weren’t explored more deeply, and a few too many cheap jokes which, to be fair, most of the audience loved. 

One strength of the show was the live improv pianist, who wasn’t obviously evident as they were up in the dress circle rather than being on or next to the stage. This was apparently due to there not being enough space available on the stage because the show was on the set of the Play That Goes Wrong, but this won’t be the case at other locations. Although not credited in the programme, the pianist last night was Richard Baker. He was great, adding some lovely comedic musical touches and setting the mood. I particularly enjoyed how, when a character spontaneously quoted some lyrics from the song ‘Up Where We Belong’, this was immediately played. Later we fittingly had some of the Titanic theme music.

The laughs per minute were high overall, and I really recommend going to see Murder, She Didn’t Write. Even if the chosen audience suggestions vary in quality as is naturally bound to happen, you’re almost guaranteed to have a fun experience given the enthusiasm, skill and quick wit of the company.

Murder, She Didn’t Write is on a UK tour from 29 September 2025 until 15 July 2026 at various venues around the country, including Cardiff and Nottingham, with another performance at the Duchess Theatre in the West End on Monday 24 November.

You can find details of the venues and book tickets on the show’s website.

Duchess Theatre
3-5 Catherine Street
London, WC2B 5LA

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