With chicanery, collusion and scandal at every turn, supper sleuths solve the “whodunit” at Bosque Arts Center Murder Mystery-themed dinner in the Tin Building Theatre
CLIFTON – Fleeing Victorian England to avoid persecution by the law for his dastardly deeds, and to build a future in a country where his talents will be properly appreciated, the dashing but debauched Fifth Earl of Coddingham George Sweet holds one final party.
On the guest list to this “Last Gasp” dinner are those who endured most from his appalling behavior – his ex-wives, his present wife, his ballet dancer son, and long-suffering friends. Queen Victoria attended, because the unethical Earl – bully, womanizer and drug addict – is nobility after all.
The corrupt and contemptible Sweet hoped to smooth over some of the past grievances at this “Last Gasp” dinner,” enticing them to come to this supper with his promise they will receive something of great advantage to them. But as it turns out, Sweet ends up arrested, murdered, along with some of the guest. who also land in the jail cell as the icing on the cake for the evening.
It was up to the approximately 40 guests, under guidance from Matt Menefee, acting as Earl of Coddingham’s lawyer Sam Jenkins, to find out “whodunit” at the Bosque Arts Center’s Murder Mystery Dinner in the Tin Building Theatre Jan. 27.
Prior to the dinner, BAC program director Deb Phinney sent guests an email with a designated character. Adding to the evening’s success, many attendees followed some costuming and acting tips she provided. Once arrived at their table, an envelope awaited them with a further character description, the inter-personal relationships with other guests and possible secrets they might be privy to – a lot to ponder over the delicious blood-themed libations like Blood Orange Vodka Sour and the Bloody Victorian Punch by mixologist Tottie. The bottom line was that everyone was suspect – including the local policeman, having motive, opportunity and secrets to hide.
The plot thickened when Menefee supplied the revealing Last Will and Testament and when the inspector shared the coroner’s unusual autopsy report – which included a fatal allergic reaction and human bite marks to an otherwise robust man – and background information on the suspects. The clues were all there, it took a mastermind to untangle them all.
At each seat there was also cash. The guests were highly encouraged to use this money to participate in blackmail, bribery, extortion or other devious and creative purposes to collect information or just to get rich. And everyone was out to confuse the other, in order to solve the mystery themselves or win the prize for amassing the most cash through blackmail. Tables went rogue, giving all their amassed monies to one person at their table, in order to collectively win the “Money Bags” award – an unexpected twist which made it impossible to designate a real winner.
An evening of endless intrigue, self-serving deceit, undisguised infamy, overt bribery, stiff drinks and fabulous food ensued, with lots and lots of laughter and fun role-playing.
Chef Ruark and the culinary team from Waco’s University High School served a meal inspired by Victorian times with an enticing appetizer and desert tower, with British meat pies in between. Oh, and to complicate matters another body.
Between courses of the delicious meal, the supper sleuths interrogated other guests, gathering clues, rumors, family secrets and evidence needed to solve the intricate puzzle surrounding the deaths. There was talk of an illegitimate child, several illicit affairs, other suspected murders, monies owed to a house of disrepute, an unpaid dowry, an endless amount of empty promises, a marriage proposal, a break-in to the local doctor’s pharmacy, a pilfering servant, a pathological liar, drug abuse and poisoning – the list was never-ending. Even the murderer was in the dark of their own actions.
As proceedings drew to a close, a spokesperson from each dinner table group brought forth their findings and accusations. Of course, as in most good murder mysteries, the correct solution was an unlikely one. Spoiler alert: it was not the killer for hire, the butler or the maid.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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