Murder Village at the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Murder Village is an absolute delight for fans of classic whodunits and spontaneous comedy. From the moment you step into the theatre, you’re not just an audience member—you’re part of the investigation. Before the show begins, the audience fills out a questionnaire that determines the night’s mystery, from who the victim is to who the culprit will be and even how the murder is committed. This interactive element immediately pulls you into the world of the show, making you feel like an honorary resident of this charming yet deadly village. It also guarantees that no two performances are ever the same, which makes Murder Village one of those rare shows that you’ll want to see more than once.

The cast of improvisers is nothing short of brilliant. Their ability to create eccentric, fully fleshed-out characters on the spot is mesmerising, and their quick thinking ensures that the story remains cohesive, hilarious, and full of unexpected twists. One of my favourite things about improv is watching the actors try (and often fail) to hold in their laughter when their cast mates throw them a curveball. Murder Village had plenty of these moments, with the actors struggling to keep a straight face while delivering their perfectly timed comedic lines. It was infectious—at times, the laughter from the cast was just as entertaining as the jokes themselves.

Of course, no murder mystery is complete without an amateur sleuth to piece together the clues, and Murder Village provides the perfect one in the form of Verity Garner, the nosy local busybody who somehow always seems to know more than the official police inspector. Watching her unravel the tangled web of deception (or at least try to) was a highlight of the show, as she navigated the absurdity of the suspects’ improvised alibis and contradictory testimonies.

The audience’s engagement goes beyond just the pre-show questionnaire. Throughout the performance, the crowd was on the edge of their seats, eagerly looking for clues and theorising about who the murderer could be. The anticipation built up until the final reveal, where we discovered whether our instincts had been correct—or if we had been expertly misled by the clever improvisers.

The atmosphere in the room was electric, with constant laughter echoing through the room for the entire 60 minutes. 

The combination of sharp wit, unpredictable storytelling, and the sheer joy of watching the cast create magic out of thin air made Murder Village one of the most entertaining shows I’ve seen at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Whether you’re a seasoned improv fan or a newcomer to the genre, this show is a must-see. If you love comedy, mystery, and being part of the action, Murder Village is an experience you won’t want to miss. I, for one, can’t wait to go back and see what wild new mysteries unfold next time!