There are over 3000 shows to choose from at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the ranges of genres is so vast that you couldn’t even begin to name them. That being said, there is one genre that perhaps boasts the most shows involving at least an element of it, and that is improvisation. Over the years, the Fringe has played hosts to many famous names of improv, and it continues to be an incredibly popular element with many a show. And one of the best things about a improv show is that it is guaranteed to be a completely different show every time, meaning that repeat visits are always a delightful treat.
I first discovered Degrees of Error and their show ‘Murder She Didn’t Write’ during my trip to the fringe in 2023, and as soon as my 2024 trip was organised, I just knew that I needed to go back and see it again. So that’s exactly what I did.
With the clue in the title, ‘Murder She Didn’t Write’ is a completely improvised murder mystery with both the killer and the victim picked at random. One cast member will play the Agatha Christie inspired detective and the throw of a hat into the audience decides on her sidekick. This sidekick will pick the location and an item from a selection of audience suggestions and pick the killer and victim without looking by choosing a coloured card that matches the colour of the performers clothing, with each decked out in a different tone, a little like Cluedo.
And then the story begins, and this expert gang of improvisers piece together a madcap hilarious tale whilst making it look seemingly easy. Costumes created, props used in a serious of interesting ways and if you think Midsummer Murders has had some strange ways of bumping off their victims over the years, that’s nothing compared to what this lot come up with.
At the performance I attended, it was an upholstery competition that was the setting of choice with special mentions to cheese rolling and strong man auditions. Two competitors at battle with each other, with one of their cousins unable to decide whether to support his cousin or his lover, plus a judge who was losing her eyesight and his relying on her son to view the intricate stitching for her, whilst he is much more interested in becoming a strong man.
What occurred was laugh a minute hilarity, with the cast able to perfectly balance the chaos with a story that had twists, turns and a final conclusion that surprised everyone. It would be easy for the cast to become swept up in the comedy and to play entirely for laughs, but their real skill lies in their ability to make up the story on the spot together as a team whilst continuing to have their audience laughing out loud at their antics.
The ability to improvise such a complete story, no matter how chaotic and mad it becomes, is a true skill and Degrees of Error continue to prove themselves to be experts in the field. The room throughout is filled with laughter both from the audience and from the cast themselves who aren’t afraid to show how much fun they are having with it, creating a warm and shared experience.
‘Murder She Didn’t Write’ runs daily at 3.50pm until Monday 26th August at the Gordan Aikman Theatre, Assembly George Square, and tickets are selling fast.
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