Extra date announced as railway whodunnit sells out
There’s good news for anyone who missed out on a booking a place for the new hit whodunnit experience on the Kent & East Sussex Railway this Summer, as an additional date has been announced.
The Murder Mystery cast return in September
Photo: Peter Mould Stagesnaps.com
Following the overwhelming demand, a new date has been added for Friday 18th September, thanks to the community theatre company behind the production, Bexhill Light Operatic & Dramatic Society (BLODS), and the railway’s Visitor Experience Manager, Heather Packham. Tickets are now available to book.
Packed with intrigue, deception and drama, the specially written Murder Mystery takes place aboard the heritage railway, creating a fully immersive experience where passengers become detectives for the evening. Guests can question suspects, examine evidence and piece together the clues as they attempt to identify the killer before the final reveal.
Passengers can also dine as they detect, with the option to add a delicious two-course dinner to their ticket. The meal is served at passengers’ seats as the train travels through the beautiful Wealden countryside.
Set in the 1950s, before the original closure of the line, the story centres around the murder of a railway signalman. The cast of colourful characters is inspired by local railway and town history, with actors moving through the carriages throughout the journey to interrogate suspects, reveal clues and encourage lively debate.
“We’ve been blown away by the positive response from our audiences so far and we’re delighted that BLODS are able to offer us an additional date,” says Heather Packham, Visitor Experience Manager for the Kent & East Sussex Railway.
Henri Hayler, Chairman of BLODS, who also appears in the production as DCI Thomas says of the production: “It’s a truly immersive experience; you’re not just watching a show - you’re part of it. Every single character is a genuine suspect, and, unlike a classic murder mystery, we’ve ensured that the culprit will be different each time it’s performed.”
Every passenger receives a police-style evidence pack and is encouraged to talk to fellow passengers, compare theories and piece together the mystery. The actors also improvise during the performance, responding to questions and interrogations from passengers.
The final twists are revealed on the return leg of the journey, before the big question is asked at the end of the evening: Who killed Harry the Signalman?
Tickets for the Murder Mystery Evening start at £47 for adults and £25 for children aged 15 and under, including the performance and train travel. Inclusive dining packages are priced at £71.50 for adults and £32.95 for children aged 15 and under.
For those looking for a daytime theatrical experience, tickets are also on sale for the fast-paced farce, Off and On. The production takes place aboard the 15:40 train from Tenterden to Bodiam on Thursday 20th August, offering passengers the chance to enjoy a comedy performance while travelling through the Kent countryside.
The railway is also hosting this new production
It's the 1980s and a junior minister is on board a sleeper train, clutching his resignation speech, with absolutely no idea that his career is about to go spectacularly off the rails. As the journey progresses, a cast of colourful characters become entangled in a hilarious chain of mistaken identities, faked deaths and frantic cover-ups.
Described as ‘explosive, outrageous and silly’, Off and On is a brand-new farce by Ben Cawood, brought to life as a touring production by Right Track Theatre - a company of early career artists celebrating the glorious chaos of farce with a fresh take.
The dialogue contains mild innuendo so is indicated for adults and children aged at least 12 years and over.
Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and seniors, in addition to the price of Freedom travel tickets.
There is no charge for children (aged 15 and under) who also travel for free as part of the railway’s Summer holiday Kids Go FREE offer.
Pre-booking is essential for both experiences at: www.kesr.org.uk