At last year’s Edinburgh Fringe I had the absolute pleasure of watching improvisational group Pinch Punch Improv perform their 1920s-themed whodunnit ‘Locomotive for Murder’. It was on at Gilded Balloon for the majority of the festival and saw 4 suspects and a sleuth bring to life a train-themed murder mystery right in front of the audience’s eyes. Taking audience suggestions, it was incredible to witness the complexity of this improv show, driven by detailed audience contributions. The company is at the Brighton Fringe this Spring for two performances and I had the opportunity to ask member Lottie Davies about the beginnings of the show and find out how it will work in the outdoor Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT).
What can you tell me about the origins of Pinch Punch Improv?
Three of us decided to put an improv group together in late 2019 and found 5 brilliant actors/improvisers to put on an improvised panto. In 2020, we had an idea to develop a murder mystery. We promptly started murdering each other over Zoom and when we won a commission from Harrow Arts Centre to develop a show in 2021, Locomotive for Murder was born. Since then we’ve expanded to 15 fabulous members of Pinch Punch and the show has gone from strength to strength.
How did you come up with the idea of creating an improvised whodunnit?
One of our members (Emma) mentioned the idea in a planning session over Zoom in 2020, and we were all a bit nervous – mysteries are notoriously difficult to improvise! But the ideas kept on coming and once we came up with our ticket idea to make sure that it’s a game for everyone onstage as well as the audience, everything just fell into place! Plus we’re all massive murder mystery nerds and love a good murderer reveal! Agatha Christie, Jessica Fletcher, Sherlock Holmes, Taggart – you name it, we love it!
What has been the funniest moment that has happened when performing ‘Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit’ over recent years?
Oh there are so many! We’re always so grateful to audience members who suggest things, whether they’re outlandish or low-key, because those are the funniest things about our show. We always enjoy moments where an improviser has been ‘dropped in it’ and has to come up with something plausible very quickly. Someone might mention that your character wrote a book of poetry and then casually ask you to recite one of your poems, or if you announce that your character is a famous dancer you can bet that someone onstage will demand a demonstration. It’s always great fun to watch an actor come up with something on the spot and nail it.
2025 will be your fourth time attending Brighton Fringe, what is it about this specific festival that sees you return year after year?
The audience! We’ve had some of the best crowds at Brighton and it’s always a joy to hear their suggestions and theories. There’s honestly nothing quite like performing to an enthusiastic audience who are engaged with the mystery and want to figure out whodunnit, and Brighton are all-in armchair detectives. Maybe there’s something in the water, or maybe it’s the picnics and drinks in the venue. We also love the team at BOAT, they’re so friendly, professional and helpful, we’ll keep coming back as long as they’ll have us!
This year you have two performances at the Brighton Open Air Theatre. To what extent do you have to stage the production differently for this outdoor venue?
We’re actually super lucky because we developed this show outdoors during Lockdown, so this is the show’s natural habitat. It’s a lot nicer to be able to stand within 2 metres of each other to do a murder (we had a lot of long-range attacks in the beginning, think poison blow darts and death by post). We had to alter the show to move into indoor venues so this is like coming home to the original version. One nice thing is we don’t have to ask for the house lights to come up to see the audience when we’re asking for suggestions and theories. Of course, we never pick on people – the detective asks the whole audience a question and anyone who wants to answer can, there’s no pressure!
If you were to summarise the show in one word, what would it be and why?
Exciting! The show is completely made up on the spot and has twists and turns that even we don’t see coming. We use a randomised ticket system to make sure that (genuinely) the only person onstage who knows whodunnit is the murderer themselves. This show is perfect for seeing the audience’s characters come to life and then feeling the thrill of solving a mystery.
Why should audiences come and see ‘Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit’ at this year’s Brighton Fringe?
It’s a fabulously funny show where you can solve a murder from your seat. If you enjoy laughing your socks off and a thrilling 1920’s murder mystery, then this is the show for you! Come along and prove you’re smarter than any detective out there!
Be part of a Pinch Punch Improv whodunnit at Brighton Fringe
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, murder mysteries and comedy, you should definitely add ‘Locomotive for Murder’ to your Brighton Fringe schedule! Catch the company at BOAT on Saturday 3rd May, with performances starting at 14:00 and 19:00. Tickets are available via the festival’s website. It has been fascinating to hear about the makings of the show!
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
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