Improvised shows are a form of theatre that have always been popular, with hit shows such as Mischief’s Theatre Mischief Movie Night and Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. Another improvised show is Murder, She Didn’t Write, a show so popular that it is coming back to Edinburgh Fringe for its 12th year running! With this show, the audience members become the authors of the show, and right before their eyes, the company create an improvised comedy show for everyone to enjoy
I got the chance to interview performer and assistant director Peter Baker about the upcoming run of Murder, She Didn’t Write. Enjoy reading the interview where we discussed what it takes to bring such a show to Edinburgh Fringe, what makes it so popular year after year, and what people can expect from the show after the Fringe run…
Note: None of these answers have been edited in any way, shape or form. They are exactly as they were sent to me.
Hi, and thank you for doing this interview! Let’s start simple. Can you please introduce yourself and tell us what Murder, She Didn’t Write is?
I’m Peter Baker, cast member and assistant director of Murder, She Didn’t Write, the improvised show in which we take audience suggestions to create a hilarious madcap murder mystery that will have you belly laughing and fingering your suspect from the comfort of your seat.
What was it about Murder, She Didn’t Write that made you want to join the company as assistant director? Following on from that, what is it about the show that has made you want to stay with it for this long?
I joined as a cast member initially, for Edinburgh Fringe 2015. At first, I thought I’d just do that run but I quickly realised how addictive it is. I genuinely love this show and would take on director duties when our esteemed dictator, whoops, director, Lizzy Skrzypiec was busy making hit TV shows.
Murder, She Didn’t Write is returning to Edinburgh Fringe for its 12th year; what do you think it is about this show that makes it so popular?
I’d liken our show to a pack of Pringles: once you pop, you just can’t stop. Audiences love witnessing the joy we get in bumping each other off in an endless variety of silly ways. There’s something special about audiences being part of this unique tale with us. Plus, there’s the intrigue in seeing what new characters we might be and what tales might ensue.
This show is guided by audience members’ suggestions, so it works a lot on quick thinking and improvisation. From a directorial point of view, how does that work? How do you prepare the cast to be in such a show?
Our dictator, sorry, DIRECTOR, Lizzy Skrzypiec fosters a sense of play, joy and absolutely no fear. None. Rehearsals are obviously about understand how to do the show but also understanding each other: what makes us tick, what delights us and what we absolutely dread.
Have you ever had to turn down an audience member’s suggestion for the show? Or what is the most surprising input you’ve heard to date?
Absolutely. Audiences come for escapist enjoyment, so nobody really wants to see two hours of “Brexit”, for example. And certain suggestions seem better suited to somebody’s private internet search than a room full of strangers.
With the show returning to the Fringe again for the 12th time, how do you keep things fresh for both the cast and returning audience members?
Febreze. We go through gallons of the stuff. Our cast mates and audience, particularly the front row greatly appreciate it.
What has been the hardest challenge when rehearsing the show? How have you overcome this?
Not having an audience. For an audience-led narrative, it’s pretty helpful to have one there! We are a large company though, so rehearsals do allow some of us to do the show while the rest of us actually get to sit back and watch.
Similarly, has there been any aspect of the process so far that has been particularly exciting?
There’ve been so many lovely “pinch me” momets: when we first got to play on our fab new set designed by Justin Williams, performing in Adelaide, our first cruise with Cunard to New York…. These are just the tip of the iceberg, which we narrowly escaped on that crossing.
Edinburgh Fringe is stacked with a vast range of shows; what would you say to new audiences to get them to come and see Murder, She Didn’t Write?
Come see why we keep getting asked back! If they stop asking, we won’t come, but it’s terribly rude to our down an invitation, don’t you think? So, dear reader, I extend an invitation to you – come have a giggle and try to catch a killer.
Following the run at Edinburgh Fringe, Murder, She Didn’t Write is set to go on a UK tour; do you think the tour will feel different to the Fringe performances, both from a company and an audience point of view?
Our touring show is the two-act version, so there’s even more room for comedic mayhem. We also love getting to experience different audiences and their tastes. Suggestions can vary enormously from city to city – especially when we’re challenged by a local event like a “Jack In The Green Festival” or “Eisteddfod”, which we definitely knew lots about, ahem.
I hope you enjoyed reading that interview as much as I did – I was having a great time putting this post together, giggling at some of these answers! I found this interview to be equal parts interesting and entertaining – much like the show itself, I’d imagine.
Murder, She Didn’t Write runs at Edinburgh Fringe from the 5th to the 31st August – meaning shows have already started! After the run at Edinburgh Fringe, Murder, She Didn’t Write will be headed out on tour, and I definitely want to see it if I can and be part of this chaotic fun! You can find out more about the show and buy tickets here: https://www.murdershedidntwrite.com/tour-dates
One Show at a Time 