Edinburgh Fringe preview: Lizzy Skrzypiec on Murder, She Didn’t Write

Director and performer Lizzy Skrzypiec tells us about Murder, She Didn’t Write, a show which is stopping off at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of a wider UK tour.

“Don your deerstalker and grab your magnifying glass as this talented company use audience suggestions to create a hilarious improvised murder mystery. All you have to do… is solve it! Ms Gold poisoned at a synchronised swimming gala? Dr Blue exploded by cannon during a hot air balloon race? Professor Violet crushed to death at a Love Island recoupling? You decide! But will you guess whodunnit before the killer is revealed?”

Where: Gordon Aikman Theatre at Assembly George Square

When: 5-31 Aug

Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/murder-she-didn-t-write

What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from? 

Murder, She Didn’t Write is an improvised murder mystery made up on the spot from audience suggestions, where one member of the audience picks the victim and the murderer. Will you guess whodunit? It’s fun, it’s farcical, and it’s great for people who have always wanted to see a murder mystery but haven’t had the chance. 

The idea came from this one time when we were all staying in a giant manor house with our dear friend who was unexpectedly killed midway through dinner. We panicked, ran around the house, questioned our own sanity, revealed our darkest secrets, and uncovered evidence that we couldn’t explain.

When the police arrived, they interviewed us all, then over weeks finally found out who the killer was and then formally charged them. I thought – hold on a moment. Imagine if we could provide this murder mystery experience for others, but instead of it taking weeks to solve, we solved it during the show.

How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph? 

Come along, have a big belly laugh, and solve a murder. There is some catharsis in watching people struggling under the creative weight of suggestions you have given. See them sweat, throw each other under the bus, then solve the mystery of who threw them under the bus.

Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember? 

Oh, I love the Fringe – it’s my spiritual home, and it’s where I’ve had some of my best breakdowns. I’ve probably done about 15 or more Edinburgh Fringes. So there must be a reason I keep coming back.

Yes, one particularly wild time was on the way back from the Fringe when we all caught a train, only to find that every one of the guests on board had killed the same man.

What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh? 

There is a delightful cheese shop just off the Royal Mile. It has some really unusual cheeses, and it is the highlight of my fringe, buying loads of interesting and delicious delicacies to sample for a cast cheese and wine night.

And what Fringe is complete without a short hike up Arthur’s Seat for some of the most breathtaking views over Edinburgh? Although my warning is to be very wary and travel in groups, there was this one guy who was attacked by hounds up there, and I swear I still hear their demonic howls some nights. 

What’s next for the show?

We’ve done a few cruises of late, and they’ve been a whole bunch of fun. We make great ship entertainment as the show is different every time. We’ve got another one booked in the autumn near Abu Simbel, which is popular with honeymooners, I think. I’m sure we will have a fabulous time on the Nile…