Murder Mysteries from a Historical Perspective
Do you like a good mystery from a historical bent? At Clown Cartel Murder Mysteries, we love Edmonton’s history and enjoy sharing it with audiences of all ages. Select from the list below to learn more about the historical themes we have to offer. Please contact us if you need more information.
Don’t Touch That Dial
Live from the beautiful Tegler Building in downtown Edmonton, CRTL radio brings you the latest from the “Chuck Slate” radio series. Be a part of the action as they broadcast live in this salute to the Golden Age of Radio. When this killer script hits the airwaves, we’ll be slaying them in the aisles.
Theme: Live broadcast of a 1940s radio play
Setting: 1949 Edmonton – hotel ballroom, community hall or restaurant
Venue Requirements:
- Changing room for the actors
- Stage area for radio play – at least 16 feet wide by 12 feet deep
- 2 small tables in another part of the room to post clues for the guests to examine
Fruits of Our Labour
In a time of growth as Edmonton establishes itself as a vibrant new city, the citizens pause for celebration. The city is hosting the first annual Berry Festival. It is a celebration of the various fruits and berries that are available locally. Townsfolk share recipes and helpful hints (especially for those who may be new to town). The highlight is, of course, the judging of homemade preserves. But someone may be rotten to the core. The celebration turns sour as the work of one bad apple results in murder.
Theme: Historical – the growth of early Edmonton (1907) and the rivalry between Edmonton and Strathcona
Setting: Any hotel ballroom, community hall or restaurant appropriate to early Edmonton
Venue Requirements:
- Changing room for 8 actors
- Area for speeches with a table for the judges of the preserves contest
- 2 small tables in the reception area with enough space for guests to gather around to read and examine clues
Going Once… Going Twice… Gone!
Edmonton, 1913
The remaining items from the estate of Mrs. Heloise Willoughby will be auctioned this evening. Nothing of any great value appears to be listed - just some household goods and a few toys. So why are some bidders so keen to procure them? Perhaps closer examination may reveal a secret or two. Secrets that a killer is prepared to keep hidden at any cost.
Theme: Historical – the growth of early Edmonton (1913)
Setting: Any hotel ballroom, community hall or restaurant appropriate to early Edmonton
Venue Requirements:
- Change room for 8 - 10 actors
- Stage area and podium for auction
- Tables for auction items and clues
Gold Fever!
Edmonton, 1897
The Sourdough Saloon is proud to present the famous Klondike Kitty. While the townsfolk revel, there’s talk that someone else may have returned from the Klondike. There may be a nugget of truth in that. Maybe he struck it rich or maybe his efforts didn’t pan out. But one thing is certain - his return marks a change in fortune for some. Whose stakes are so high that they lay claim to murder?
Theme: Historical – the gold rush of 1897 (and its impact on Edmonton)
Setting: Sourdough Saloon (Any hotel ballroom, community hall or restaurant)
Venue Requirements:
- Change room for 8 - 10 actors
- Stage area and for focused scenes
- 2 small tables in the reception area with enough space for guests to gather around to read and examine clues
Rx for Murder
Edmonton, 1895
Dr. HC Wilson is elected as the town's second mayor. Plans are approved to build our first hospital. To help raise funds for the construction, a group of dedicated citizens have arranged an evening of information and entertainment. But it will take more than an apple a day to keep the Reaper away. Make your appointment to enjoy our medical mystery. “This won't hurt a bit.”
Theme: Edmonton’s early history
Setting: 1895 Edmonton. The venue represents any community hall or place where the public gathers for events
Venue Requirements:
- Changing room for 8 or 9 actors
- Staging area for speeches and significant scenes
- Area in another part of the room to post clues for the guests to examine
Spirits of Edmonton
Edmonton, 1922
Friends and family of the late Daisy McGrath gather one year after her death. A mysterious stranger arrives. Then strange things begin to happen. A cryptic message… A scent of perfume… Things that go bump in the night. Is our beloved Daisy trying to tell us something?
Theme: A melding of real characters and events from Edmonton's history, with fictitious characters and situations
Setting: Any hotel ballroom or community hall that will serve as Miss McGrath's favourite restaurant
Venue Requirements:
- Change room for 8 actors
- Space to set séance table (we provide table)
- Area in another part of the room to post clues for guests to examine
Til Death Do Us Part
Mr. John W. Glenwright of Edmonton cordially invites you to the wedding reception of his daughter, Miss Cynthia Glenwright and Mr. Andrew Roberts (following a small private ceremony to be held earlier in the day). But what’s this? They say the wedding didn’t take place. What could have gone wrong? And how is Alberta’s new Social Credit Premier involved?
Theme: Depression-era wedding
Setting: Banquet hall or community hall appropriate to 1930s
Venue Requirements:
- Change room for 8 actors
- Focused area for wedding ceremony (when it finally does take place)
- Aisle to access aforementioned focused area
- Enough space between guests tables to accommodate a vintage wheelchair
- Alternate room for “bride's room” (ideally the hotel room in which the bride and groom would have been spending their wedding night)
Under Wraps
Edmonton, 1925
With the opening of the new Edmonton Museum of Art (Later to be known as the A.G.A.), Edmontonians look forward to a touring exhibit of artifacts from the recently discovered tomb of Kartesh. What lies shrouded in mystery? And what scandals will be unwrapped? Join the expedition before it all crumbles to dust.
Theme: 1920s obsession with all things Egyptian
Setting: Event venue hosting an exhibit of a Mummy’s tomb.
Venue Requirements:
- Change room for 8 actors
- Front area - space required for mummy’s sarcophagus and rod-puppet presentation of Alshannian Lore
- Elsewhere in the room, area to display artifacts from the tomb and 2 tables to post clues for guests to examine
