Don’t miss this connection! Get ready for a new adventure as we grab our tickets, check our baggage, and hop onto the 2.30 to Beddington with a bevy of suspects and bodies. In merry ol’ England during the Roaring Twenties, a gentleman sleuth might be found in many reams of detective fiction. From Lord Peter Wimsey to Albert Campion, these dashing young men would dart in and out of danger with a rakish smile and rapier wit. Well, none of them can hold a candle to the madcap antics of amateur gumshoe Archibald Reeves and his beleagured valet Brewster. Reeves has none of the experience. None of the expertise. None of the equipment. And no idea that this may be a problem, But for our final show of 2023 and our 35th Master Mystery Production, he is determined to show us all…

HOW TO SOLVE A MURDER

All aboard! During the Roaring Twenties, a train speeding across the English landscape was the preferred way to travel for the rich, famous…and infamous. Hampton-upon-Blythe is just like any other sleepy little English town. With perhaps one exception…In the past few months, it has had two murders! Add to that the grisly murder of Dr. Rutherford in the nearby town of Beddington, and Archibald Reeves’ armchair sleuthing senses are certainly piqued! Reeves fervently believes that these sorts of crimes can be solved quite easily if you just use your mind. As he often proclaims, the mind is a wonderful tool, and deduction itself is more powerful than a steam locomotive. Of course, a few uncovered clues and stashed dead bodies aren’t too bad on the investigation either. So how does the self-proclaimed mental mastermind try to solve a murder? Station 1: Book two tickets aboard the 2:30 to Beddington, the scene of the crime; Station 2: Take your gentleman’s gentleman with you because he’s swell at getting you out of binds; Station 3: Question everyone who may have seen or heard anything about the recently expired doctor; Station 4: Be completely oblivious to all the dark secrets, hidden character traits, white collar crimes, and outright lies that are all around you… Join Reeves and Brewster and a whole train full of suspects as they try to follow the tracks that lead to a murderer without getting into a bit of a bother themselves. There’ll be mistaken identities, eavesdropping, shocking twists, and animated antics that will keep you guessing (and laughing) throughout the whole journey. Right ho! All aboard! Let’s solve a murder or two! And try not to trip over any bodies that might be in our path…

How to Solve a Murder marks the playwriting debut of MMP Hall of Fame Artist and multi-award winning theatre artist Janis Kunz, who crafted the play during the pandemic lockdown. Veteran theatre director Daniel Stallings helms the production. Inspired by the “Jeeves and Wooster” stories written by P. G. Wodehouse, Janis crafted a deft and deliciously funny murder mystery comedy about a rich man and his newly discovered hobby of deduction, assisting in investigations whether he was welcome or not. Accompnaying him (and fishing him out of the inevitable scrapes) is his valet. This play embraces the spirit of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction seen in works by Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Dorothy Sayers with a bright, sparkling wit, colorful characters, and a sneaky plot with more than one nefarious deed afoot on this train to Beddington. The production takes cues from Murder on the Orient Express and Emil and the Detectives. This will be MMP’s first show staged at the VFW Ship 4084, stationed in Ridgecrest, CA, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the VFW.

The cast is stacked with MMP favorites, Hall of Fame Artists, and new voices. With characters ranging from delightful Miss Marple-types to voracious bookworms to crafty underworld sneaks to actresses who really go for the method approach, each car on the train is packed with personality. MMP got creative in imagining a full train for the VFW venue, complete with baggage car and conductor. The fun of theatre is in using your imagination to conjure up these worlds. And we can bank of several surprises being in store.

How to Solve a Murder, a Reeves and Brewster mystery play written by Janis Kunz and directed by Daniel Stallings, performs November 3, 4, 10, 17, and 18, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Ship 4084 (117 N. Alvord St.) in Ridgecrest, CA. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors (55+) and military (w/ID), and kids under 5 for free. They are on sale now at Red Rock Books. Doors open 7 p.m.

Grab your tickets for the final show of MMP’s 2023 season and hop on our train to a new adventure from a brand new voice in playwriting. All aboard for laughs, lies, and a little lesson on…

HOW TO SOLVE A MURDER

We’ll see you at the show!

–Master Mystery Productions