Pittwater Life Febraury 2024 Issue

Murder game that refuses to die
COVID almost killed the longestrunning
murder mystery company
in the world three times over. But
as some locals with a pent for excitement
and fun are about to find out, Host A
Murder is very much back from the dead.
On Saturday 24 February, a “murder”
will take place at the Metro Mirage Hotel
Newport – and your help is required to
solve ‘whodunit’. Over dinner with friends
and with four rounds of investigation, you
will challenge your companions, unearth
clues and ask questions until the murderer’s
identity is revealed – and there’s every
chance that the clues will lead back to you…
“Nobody finds out who the murderer is
until the end of the game,” explains Peter
Eedy, the man behind the clues. “That includes
the murderer – and it could be you.”
Peter likens the creation of each game
to writing a screenplay, and the work
involved is indeed impressive.
“It takes two years to write a game,”
reveals Peter. “The work is phenomenal.
The game is created in a way that everyone
has a different viewpoint and things
change from round to round. Everyone is
a suspect. It’s very, very clever.”
Peter has been running Host A Murder
for 35 years and holds the record for the
world’s biggest murder game – 300 people
playing simultaneously in a pavilion
at the Sydney Showgrounds, just before it
became Fox Studios.
In 2000, he had his best ever year,
with 4000 people taking part in various
murder games.
But four years ago, he thought it was
the end.
“Things were going really well and I
had 10 months’ worth of bookings – and
then COVID hit,” recalls Peter. “In 24
hours, every booking went. I had money
going out and nothing coming in and
FUN: Participants
dress the part.
thought that was it.
“I started again very slowly and then
it happened again. I was wiped out three
times.
“It was really hard and I did a lot of
meditation to get through it. We’re just
building up again now, but I’m still in
debt and it’s been painful and long.”
And yet, Peter’s sense of fun and adventure
remains.
“People just love the games. Families
and friends take part and all groups and
ages – I’ve had three generations of a
family in a team. And people make a real
effort with fancy dress.
“It’s amazing how people put on a
costume and get into character and just
lose their identity. They’re thinking and
problem solving, acting and being comedians.
It’s just the best fun.”
With various scenarios over the years
including ‘William Sheepshear at the
Glib Theatre’, the latest murder mystery
takes place at a mansion in the English
countryside. Sir Roger has invited you for
the reading of his new Will and Testament,
along with his GP, Dr Mel Practice.
Three Wills have been drawn up when Sir
Roger is found drowned in the pool. It’s
up to attendees to find out which is the
forgery, and who the murderer is.
Peter recommends a table of 10, so that
you can play all 8 characters even if a
couple of people drop out on the night –
if all 10 people turn up, then characters
can be doubled up. If there’s only two of
you wanting to play, then get in touch
and you might be able to join a table and
meet new people – Peter expects around
100 people to play on the night.
And the added incentive for winners, is
that they will be invited to an end-of-year
play-off with the chance to win a week in
Fiji. Death in paradise!
Food, fancy dress and finding a murderer
– what could be better on a Saturday
night? Channel your inner Poirot and
Sherlock Holmes and get ready for some
real life Cluedo.
– Rob Pegley
*More info and bookings call 9997 7011.
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
FEBRUARY 2024 13