INVESTIGATION OF A MURDER-ON-THE-LAKE UNCOVERS BIG LAUGHS AT THE SHAW

July 24, 2025 | jcusters
INVESTIGATION OF A MURDER-ON-THE-LAKE UNCOVERS BIG LAUGHS AT THE SHAW

- Thrilling improv murder mystery debuts at the Royal George Theatre July 26 -

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (July 24, 2025) Murder-on-the-Lake, the latest creation from Spontaneous Theatre’s Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak, makes its world premiere at the Shaw Festival. Northan also directs this madcap whodunit with an all-star cast of performers including a different willing audience-member-turned-detective each night, at the Royal George Theatre starting July 26.
 
When an unexpected death at a Niagara-on-the-Lake bed and breakfast turns out to be foul play, baffled police hire a rookie detective to help crack the case. The plot twist? This novice gumshoe is enlisted each night straight out of the audience. Our guest sleuth is invited into a world of intrigue where they must assume an undercover identity, unearth evidence, tease out confessions and ultimately make an arrest. No two shows are exactly alike, as our cast of nefarious characters shift and change in response to each new detective at every performance.
 
Audience members interested in participating as a guest detective should arrive early to introduce themselves to cast who will be mingling in the lobby, the bar, and in front of the theatre before each performance. 
 
Murder-on-the-Lake features Kristopher Bowman, Cosette Derome, Sochi Fried, Virgilia Griffith, Martin Happer, Bruce Horak, Rebecca Northan and Travis Seetoo.
 
The creative team includes Set Designer Judith Bowden, Costume Designer Rose Tavormina, Lighting Designer Jeff Pybus, Composer and Sound Designer John Gzowski. The production team includes Dora Tomassi, stage manager, and Jane Vanstone Osborn, assistant stage manager.
 
On stage at the Royal George Theatre (85 Queen Street) from July 26 to October 4 (available for review beginning August 14), Murder-on-the-Lake is recommended for audience members 12+. Running time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.
 
Murder-on-the-Lake is sponsored by Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. and Wendy & Bruce Gitelman.
 
The Royal George Theatre’s regular season is sponsored by 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa.