SIX members of a local amateur theatre group got together to plan a murder – in a town centre restaurant at Warrington.
The six members of the Bridgewater Players, who normally play at Thelwall Parish Hall, ad libbed their way through the 
first-ever performance of “The Last Swallow of Summer” – a murder mystery specially written for Shelly’s Restaurant in Bold Street.
They have formed “Dying 4 Dinner”, a group specialising in presenting interactive mystery plays for hotels, restaurants, etc.
The group is led by playwright Ian Hornby who has published more than 30 plays over the last 20 years, including two television sitcoms.
It was the first time proprietor Shelly Butterworth had tried a murder mystery evening – and she was written into the story which had a French theme to mark Bastille Day.
She said: “It was a great success and a lot of fun. I will certainly be doing this again.
“The customers enjoyed it -and some of them actually solved the mystery.”
Ian Hornby said: “This was completely new ground for us. Quite different to acting on stage because we had to think on our feet and interact with the audience, depending on what sort of questions they asked.”
Customers enjoyed a four course meal – also with a French flavour – while the mystery unfolded around them.
Pictured…Shelly Butterworth, front, centre, with the Dying 4 Dinner team
Murder between the courses!
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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What a brilliant night! No, this is not from a member of the audience, it’s from one of the Dying 4 Dinner team! The people who came to watch our first run were so supportive and really got into it, and our thanks go to them for boosting first night nerves. We plan to do more and have some more themes near completion. If anyone’s interested in another evening at Shelly’s or would like to talk with us about hosting their own event, we can be contacted (if I’m allowed to give ourselves a plug here) via our website http://www.dying4dinner.co.uk