Local charity looks to make a killing

There are numerous ways to fundraise for charity, and Charlene Bouvier is certain that a mind-mangling murder mystery dinner theatre will be a hit with St. Albert donors.

The event chair for St. Albert Relay for Life extends an invitation to Sherlock Holmes fans to check out Love and Marriage, a murder mystery that challenges the audience to sniff out the bad guy.

The local charity has operated in St. Albert for three years, fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society. Last year the St. Albert Relay for Life raised $51,000.

This is the first year it is mounting a murder mystery dinner theatre. The event runs at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Funds generated from the dinner theatre will be used to pay pre-relay expenses — renting tents, buying T-shirts, signage and advertising — for the official event held at Richard Fowler Park on Saturday, June 9.

“We wanted to offer something different and it’s such a great fun time. It also helps bring about awareness in a different way,” said Bouvier, who is also the show’s director.

Enthusiastic about theatre, she mounted about half a dozen similar shows and cut her teeth directing improvised dinner theatre while living in Plamondon.

Layered with accusations and red herrings, Love and Marriage’s three acts unfold between dinner courses. Actors are presented with a simple storyline and must rely on their wits to propel the action. Without the aid of a traditional theatre text, the actors are free to be spontaneous and adventurous.

“It’s all ad lib. There are no lines to learn. The actors just know what they have to do,” she said.

In Love and Marriage, the crime scene has a decidedly cheerful mood. Tom and Elaine Stryker are celebrating their 10th anniversary and the original wedding party has reunited at a bed and breakfast where the happy couple took their vows a decade earlier. Suddenly the room is plunged into darkness. A shot rings out and when the lights come back on, Parker Stone, the father of the bride has slumped to the floor.

The cast of eight characters has a series of stereotypical suspects: a TV evangelist who breaks the commandments he preaches, a sex therapist who doesn’t have answers to one big question, a mysterious cloak and dagger military man, a gorgeous divorcee and a shocking singing sensation.

Even St. Albert Gazette arts and community reporter Scott Hayes is stretching his acting chops as an unscrupulous writer for a trashy tabloid.

As in typical collaborative mystery dinner theatre, the actors mingle with the audience and patrons are encouraged to offer solutions and guess who the murderer is.

A complete menu is available on the St. Albert Relay for Life Facebook page.

“It’s a new experience. It’s fun and whoever guesses the murderer wins a prize,” Bouvier said. It’s very interactive.”

For information and reservations call Amanda at 780-437-8419.