Solve-Along-Murder-She-Wrote

Lichfield Garrick

*****

 Helmed by Superfan, Tim Benzie – this room full of Fangela’s (an endearing term for fans of the legend, Angela Lansbury) are led on a voyage of discovery which revolves around a 1980s episode of MSW – Paint Me a Murder.

I should note that Aussie Tim has form with this format as previous MSW shows featured in Time Out’s list of 50 Great Nights Out In London. And rightly so – it really is a belter of show.

I can only describe the experience as one which is akin to a pub quiz, a night in with your mates and Angela Lansbury all wrapped up in time travel back to the 1980s.

The episode plays whilst Tim pauses to point things out, ask questions or just generally guff about on stage (this is a good thing). All the time you have to keep your wits about you as you try to – you guessed it – solve the murder.

Whilst there are, unsurprisingly, some die hard fans in attendance there is no expectation that you have seen all 12 years' worth of 264 episodes and four TV movies. (told you I was a fan).

Yes, if you want to flex your Jessica Fletcher shaped muscles then there is plenty of opportunity to do so but ultimately it’s about having fun. Much like the series itself, the evening has a comforting, gentle and wholesome feel which is accessible to everyone. (There are however a few more F-bombs than Dame Angela ever uttered and as such it is a show which is suitable for 16+.

I won’t ruin what happens in the show, as it is a closely guarded secret but I will tell you that it is absolutely brilliant – by far one of the best things I’ve seen for years.  Underpinning it all is a real affection for the show and for Angela herself – Tim just comes across as so much fun that the evening flies by in a flash. His rapport with the audience is wonderful and you just feel at home straight away.

It is on for one more night and at £20 is the bargain of the year, if I weren’t depriving someone else of the chance to see it, I would go and watch it again. I will certainly go next time he visits Lichfield with a new MSW episode. You can buy your ticket here but hurry as there are very limited tickets available (quite right too – there should be none left, it is that good).

For fans of Tim, he is also returning to the Garrick in November with ‘It’s a mystery’ which centres around Agatha Christie.

Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote is both a comedy, a homage and a comfort blanket of a production – and I guarantee, whatever is happening in your life you will come away a shedload happier than when you walked in.

Theo Clarke

10-09-25 

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