Tim Benzie, the acclaimed creator and host of Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote
presents a new one-man show: a hilarious and moving exploration
of the enduring appeal of murder mysteries
Audience responses from 2024 London run
It's a Mystery! premiered at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern on Friday 23 July 2023,
followed by a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023
The show is open for bookings in 2024, with two UK dates on sale soon and a
return season at the EdFringe 2024
Upcoming dates
FRI 22 NOV HUNTINGDON Commemoration Hall
WED 5 FEB BIRMINGHAM Old Joint Stock Theatre
8-9, 16-16 MAR ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL 2025 - ON SALE SOON
The Critics speak ...
West End Best Friend
*****
His enthusiasm for this genre is immediately apparent and his journey through the topic, heartfelt. Through the Cluedo board, we examine the finer details, which is a brilliant way to keep on brand.
This is a great insight, lots of fun and a joyful production ... A killer of a show!
The Nerd Party
*****
In true mystery fashion, It's A Mystery! doesn’t just entertain with its light-hearted exploration of the genre—it also holds a carefully laid twist that speaks to something more profound. Without spoiling the reveal, just as we wouldn't for any detective fiction, it’s safe to say that the emotional impact of this twist is both surprising and deeply moving. It’s a testament to Benzie’s storytelling and the depth of his own experience, transforming what begins as a playful homage into something genuinely heartfelt and resonant.
Edinburgh Reviews
****
There are quotes from great minds, examples of characters from books, and reflections on societal norms and problems, such as racism of the time. None of this is dry and academic, though. The whole hour passes by as quickly as a well-structured, entertainment-first magazine article or TikTok video on the topic ... [this] is a surprisingly enjoyable and intriguing murder mystery show that even published authors of the genre might find entertaining and thought-provoking.
The Brig Newspaper
****
This is an enlightening hour, and a surprisingly personal piece of story-telling. If you love detective fiction, murder mysteries, or even just stories with puzzles in them, you will find much to enjoy here.
The Real Chrisparkle
****
Light-hearted, constantly surprising, but also full of fascinating facts and recommendations, Mr B also draws conclusions as to why he is so personally attracted to the genre. A terrific entertainment if you’re a whodunit buff, and, let’s face it, who isn’t? Highly recommended!
The SMU Reviews
****
It’s a Mystery! is great fun, containing much the same mix of intelligence and entertainment as the classics of the genre themselves. Tightly packed with facts, insights and entertainingly ill-fitting costumes (but no Toyah) this is a great show for anyone who likes a dash of St Mary Mead with their Edinburgh Festival.
Edinburgh Guide
***
An endearing, whirlwind tour of the murder mystery genre, this is a delightfully entertaining show. Interspersed with Tim Benzie’s own history of growing up with and around murder mysteries (and the reasons for that), Benzie as the host, is both cheeky and charming. He is clearly a great lover of the murder mystery and has a cornucopia of facts to entertain the audience.
Town and Leisure magazine
Stand-up comedian and award-winning playwright, Tim Benzie shares his love of cosy crime, from his childhood favourites such as Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew through to Agatha Christie’s entire oeuvre and other giants of the Golden Age of crime fiction, such as Dorothy L Sayers and GK Chesterton. ‘It’s a Mystery!’ is an entertaining and funny journey through the byways of cosy crime fiction and its TV and film adaptations. At 70 minutes it seldom falters and Benzie is a funny and engaging host.
FAQs
FAQs
What is this?
It's a Mystery! is a one-man exploration about the appeal of whodunnits and murder mysteries, from Agatha Christie to Murder, She Wrote and beyond.
I've seen Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote - how is this different?
Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote is a hosted screening of an episode of Murder, She Wrote, with kind permission of NBC Universal Television. It's a Mystery! is a monologue and investigation into the murder mystery genre drawing on Tim's encyclopaedic knowledge of the form: a blend of comedy and wry observation.
Do I need to be a fan of whodunits to enjoy the show?
Not at all! The show is warm and personal and will appeal to anyone who's ever been drawn to a genre (such as science fiction) and wondered why it has such a powerful appeal.
How long is the show?
70 minutes with no interval.
Who are you?
Tim Benzie. He's an Australian super-fan of Agatha Christie and Murder, She Wrote, living in London. Tim is an award-winning playwright in his native Australia and brought Solve-Along to the Sydney Cabaret Festival in 2019 to sell-out audiences. He has been performing Solve-Along across the UK and Ireland since 2018. Having read all of Christie's novels by the age of 14, Tim is delighted to be able to put his obsession to good use.
Don't miss my other show ...
Audience responses to EdFringe 2023 show
Thanks for visiting!
For enquiries about booking the show in your venue,
please email Simon Parrish at simon.parrish2@btinternet.com
For general enquiries email solvealonga@gmail.com
Tim Benzie is represented by The Soho Agency (www.thesohoagency.co.uk).
Video by DMLK (www.dmlk.co.uk).
Photos by Dino Paciulli, FDphotos