There’s something about a good whodunnit that never goes out of style—especially when no one, not even the cast, knows how it will end.
That’s exactly what’s heading to Town Gardens Bowl this May, as part of the venue’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit pulls into town on 3rd May, bringing with it a mix of quick-fire comedy, audience participation and just enough chaos to keep everyone guessing.
Presented by Pinch Punch, the show takes the familiar setting of a classic train-bound murder mystery and turns it on its head. Every performance is built from scratch, shaped by audience suggestions and the cast’s ability to think on their feet.
The premise is simple enough: a group of suspicious passengers, a detective trying to keep up, and a killer hiding in plain sight. The twist? Only one person on stage knows who the murderer is—and they’re not telling.
What follows is part theatre, part game, as the audience pieces together clues, weighs up alibis and tries to stay one step ahead of the culprit.
It’s earned strong reviews on the circuit, with critics praising its “first class” blend of improvisation and comedy, and it’s easy to see why. With no script to fall back on, every show carries a sense of unpredictability that traditional productions can’t quite match.
At around an hour long—longer with an interval option—it’s pitched as a family-friendly evening (ages 10 and up), though expect a few cheeky moments along the way.
More than anything, it adds a lively edge to the Bowl’s milestone year. Ninety years on from its beginnings, the venue continues to find new ways to draw a crowd—this time with a murder mystery where the audience might just crack the case.
All aboard, then. Just don’t trust anyone.
