Theatre Review: Murder HE Didn’t Write, Tobacco Factory Theatres

Summary:

Rating: ★★★★★
Running Dates: Tuesday 8th July 2025 - Wednesday 9th July 2025
Where to see it: Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
Duration: 2 hours (inc. interval)
Keywords: Chaotic, Humorous, Interactive

Review

It's part mystery, part comedy sketch, part controlled theatrical car crash.

If you've ever wanted to mash up a murder mystery, a comedy sketch show, and pure improv mayhem, Murder, He Didn’t Write is your dream night out. Back at Tobacco Factory Theaters and better than ever!

The fun starts before the actors even step on stage. The audience throws out suggestions for the setting, the victim, the weapon, and more. Then someone is chosen to be the detective’s assistant "Jerkins" who may or may not know what’s going on, and off we go. No script. No safety net. Just a cast of comedy pros improvising their way through a brand-new whodunnit every night.

In our show, someone was murdered at a tiddlywink competition with the prizes from the competition. Was it ridiculous? Yes. Was it hilarious? Also yes.

It was fast, funny, and freakishly clever. The cast are absolute wizards at yes-anding their way through increasingly bizarre plot twists. They keep it quick, sharp, and somehow (miraculously) bring it all together in the end with a satisfying reveal.

Special shoutout to the “detective” character played with deadpan charm and a glint of mischief who stops scenes mid-action to interrogate suspects or dive into a flashback, complete with noir-style music and dramatic lighting. It's part mystery, part comedy sketch, part controlled theatrical car crash.

This special Pride edition brought even more joy with the twist of Murder he didn't write with rainbow twists, and a fabulous, fully onboard audience. There was a real sense of community and shared silliness in the room. Laughter, gasps, wild guesses - it was all there.

Murder, He Didn’t Write is a total blast. Whether you're a die-hard improv fan or just in the mood for something unpredictable and funny, this is the kind of show you could see again and again and never get the same story twice.

If it’s coming to a theatre near you, or you spot it at the Fringe or as part of Pride, go. Just go. And maybe start thinking now: what’s the funniest murder weapon you can suggest?

Standout Moment: The tiddlywink competition scene! 

Similar Plays/Musicals: I’ve never seen anything like this!

Last Impressions: Don’t trust a tiddlywinker!

You can find last minute tickets for the show on the Tobacco Factory Theatres website

We were kindly gifted these tickets in exchange for a review.

Written by Ella Hunter