Theatre / Reviews
Review: Dial M for Menu, Old Market Assembly – ‘A really fun – and delicious – night out’
I was a huge fan of the improv troupe Closer Each Day Company back when they used to perform at The Anglo Polish Society in Clifton. Now in residence at the Old Market Assembly, I was understandably excited to go to the specially put on evening of Dial M For Menu – billed as a night of comedy and mystery, served up with a three course meal.
Closer Each Day Company have been performing their improv saga Closer Each Day: The Improvised Soap Opera for an astonishing 14 years now, but for one week only, they turned their hand to solving a murder.
Loosely based on the Alfred Hitchcock crime thriller Dial M For Murder, this was the second instalment of the interactive evening, following a successful first run in April.
is needed now More than ever
The actors began by swanning around the room between the tables, setting the scene in which Detective Azdawls attempts to solve a murder most foul in 1950s downtown Los Angeles, with multiple suspects and a plethora of motives.
The cast brought the case to life by involving the audience in finding clues in “unexpected places”, and there were many laughs and a few gasps as the actors work the crowd, guiding us to the culprit in this silly yet sophisticated evening of fun.
In between acts, we were served an incredible three course meal from the Old Market Assembly chefs, including a cocktail on arrival, crab remoulade to start, followed by chicken cacciatore with gnocchi piedmontese, and then a lemon tart with burnt soft meringue that I absolutely wolfed down, despite being full, because it was absolutely delicious. Vegetarian and vegan menus were also available.
Not usually one for interactive theatre, I thoroughly enjoyed this evening. The audience was brought into the performance without being assaulted by it, and this was a really fun night out, with great theatre and great food. I highly recommend you keep your eyes peeled for the next one.
For all upcoming events at Old Market Assembly, visit www.oldmarketassembly.co.uk or follow @oldmarketassembly.
For more information about Closer Each Day: The Improvised Soap Opera visit www.closereachday.co.uk or follow @closereachdayco. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com and are discounted for members of the company’s Neighbourhood Watch (free to join, online or on the night).
Main photo: Closer Each Day Company
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
