As we write this during an unusually hot Maytime heatwave, it’s time to mentally cool off as it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas.
The usual office Christmas do can easily fall into the same pattern each year. A flat prosecco on arrival, polite chat comparing eccentric jumper choices, a meal which may or may not have a broken paper hat fall into it, then a DJ that’s far too loud, all employees with kids or cats make their excuses to head home. It can still be a fun evening, but adding a Murder Mystery to your Christmas party changes the norm for the better.
Adding professional Actors to your Christmas party brings the team together, with laughter, plenty of accusations, and a way for the team to bond and make memories along the way.
That is the real magic of having a Christmas whodunnit. It is festive, theatrical and brilliantly social, but it also gives structure to the evening (or daytime) celebrations. Instead of hoping the atmosphere takes care of itself, you build an event that actively pulls people in, and gives them something to remember over those days between Christmas and New Year, when our minds are foggy from a concoction of Baileys, chocolates and picky bits.
Why a murder mystery Christmas party works so well
Christmas parties can be surprisingly hard to get right, and employees often never notice the stress that the designated event organiser endures every year, getting everything prepared. People want something special, but not something stiff. They want entertainment, but not a show that leaves half the room watching awkwardly in silence. They want a proper event, but they do not want to spend weeks wrestling with logistics.
A murder mystery Christmas party sits in a sweet spot. It gives everyone a shared goal, which is ideal when guests do not all know each other. It fosters natural conversation, which helps in mixed groups and at work events. And because the story unfolds throughout the event, it feels more immersive and engaging than a standard tribute act or disco set.
There is also the simple fact that Christmas lends itself to a bit of drama, which is a lot more welcome than office drama the HR manager and marketing temp getting caught snogging in the smoking area. Add a crime, a cast of suspicious suspects and some sharp comic timing, and suddenly the whole evening has a pulse.
What makes a great murder mystery Christmas party
A good Murder Mystery Christmas party ultimately needs a plot that is easy to follow, without feeling too obvious or simplistic (we’re aware that this is a contradictory statement, but in our game, that somehow makes sense!) It’s all about striking a balance between fun and mystery.
You want an atmosphere that makes guests feel like they can get stuck into the fun, without ever feeling bullied or pushed into doing so. If the plot is too complicated, people will switch off. If the plot is too easy, then the tension disappears.
Here at Moonstone Murders, our formula for creating all of our plotlines follows the same mantra: if you step back and properly observe all the evidence, it becomes clear who the killer is. However, every other suspect is there to distract you with red herrings and secret motives.
Apply that formula to our roster of professional comedy improvisors, and you have a bit of magic. Every show creates unique moments and interactions, and although our murderer is pre-determined for each show (meaning everything is fair for working out the case, and when explained to those who did not catch the killer), in our 9 years of experience, no 2 shows will ever be the same.
How to make it work with your celebrations
The best format depends on how you want your Christmas party to shape up, and how a Christmas Murder Mystery fits with your plans and celebrations.
All of our plot-lines are designed to work either as a straight-through experience (with comfort break) or around a dinner setting.
We also have 2 Christmas-specific themed cases, Murder in a Winter Wonderland (Available for small and larger groups) and Murder by the Mistletoe (Available for larger groups only). Perhaps, though, you would like something a little different? Although it’s a Christmas party, it is easy to have festive fatigue, and sometimes not everything in December needs to be specifically Christmas themed.
For this, we have a wide selection of other cases to select from. Maybe take your team for a metaphorical day at the races with The Final Furlong. Perhaps you want to imagine hotter climates, and step back to 1920’s Egypt for Curse of the Pharaohs. There’s even a chance to go complete rouge, get into your swinging 60s glam and try catch the killer in our Kray-Twin themed whodunnit, The Body Behind Bars.
There is also the option for a Bespoke plot-line, created with a theme of your desire. But be aware, we have limited Bespoke writing slots available throughout the year and they get booked up quickly!
How to organise it without the festive headache
As said, often the unsung hero of the Christmas party is the person who has spent the months organising it all. With often a long list of suppliers and team members to coordinate with, when it comes to entertainment, the easiest Christmas parties are the one where the entertainment providers do more than simply thumbs up to a booking email, and hopefully turn up and perform.
Giving clear communication from the start is important, and here at Moonstone, we are always happy to answer any questions our clients have, and try to provide as much information as possible so there is no confusion or concerns leading up to your event date.
When booking in with us, we try to clarify the basics. What is your group size? Is it a seated dinner, a standing reception, an office event, or something different from the norm? Where is your event, and do you need us to discuss anything with the venue so everyone is on the same page?
After the event foundations are clarified, it’s great to start looking at plot-line options, and discussing any thoughts on whether it’s a bespoke option for your event. The most important thing for us is that you should be able to ask any questions you need before signing the contract, and we try to keep this process as headache-free as possible.
Booking a professional Murder Mystery VS D.I.Y. Events
We may be biased, but there is a world of difference between bringing out a pre-purchased kit to play, and a fully immersive event using professional Actors. Here at Moonstone, we do not just supply bodies who may or may not have read the script beforehand. Our team of professional improvisers create atmosphere, hold the room, and seamlessly generate memorable moments.
Don’t get us wrong, D.I.Y. Murder Mystery kits can be great fun (we’ve played a few ourselves over the years), but they heavily rely on the dynamics of the group, everyone is required to play a character and read aloud, which for Corporate Christmas parties is a rare find, as every group is different, and some prefer to play more passively, which is hard to do if you are assigned the murderer.
Experienced performers means strong hosting, reliable pacing, your team able to get involved as actively as they feel comfortable doing, and stories build to every group, rather than relying on a one-size fits all solution. We look for improvisers who have a skill that is hard to teach and often underrated, the ability to read a room.
Whether your group are there mainly for a laugh or wanting to disect every element and clue they can get their hands on, our team can adapt to be an asset to your evening, rather than fighting against it.
Making Moonstone part of your celebrations
It’s simple, you name the place, and we’ll bring the case. We can perform in most venue settings (subject to a few venue requirements, mainly our team requiring a separate secure area to change and leave possessions in).
To find out more about our available options, you can drop us a message on our Contact Us page or email bookings@moonstonemurders.co.uk
A Christmas party should not feel like something to get through before the break. It should feel like the curtain going up. If you want an evening with laughter, suspense and a room full of people genuinely involved, give them a mystery worth solving.
Sam has been the Company Director for Moonstone Murders since we launched in London/South East England in October 2017. Alongside having written over 35 Unique cases since founding Moonstone Murders, as his alter ego Inspector Rutherford, he has led hundreds of investigations both across the UK, abroad in Europe and virtually worldwide!
