Smoke & Mirrors
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2012
- Employees
- N/A
- Offices
- 0
About Smoke & Mirrors
Smoke & Mirrors is an independent British live entertainment company producing bespoke, interactive murder mysteries for private celebrations, corporate gatherings and public events. Founded in October 2012, it combines original dramatic writing, professional acting, farce and black comedy with audience participation. Based in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, the company brings its productions to client-selected venues across England and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Each production is designed around its setting and occasion. Professional actors mingle with guests in character, perform structured dramatic scenes and respond to direct questioning as the audience investigates the mystery. Clue packets, theatrical set pieces and improvised comedy help guests piece together the story before the culprit is revealed. Personalisation can incorporate guest anecdotes, personal backstories and company history into the script.
Formats and occasions
The company's work ranges from murder mystery dinners to residential weekend breaks and overnight events. It creates entertainment for birthdays, weddings, hen and stag parties, corporate retreats and team-building days. Corporate packages accommodate groups ranging from eight to more than 150 guests, with stories tailored to the gathering.
Its repertoire spans medieval royal intrigue, 1920s country-house mysteries, political satire, gothic comedy, medical farce and pantomime-inspired plots. These settings give clients a choice of theatrical styles while retaining the company's emphasis on comic performance and direct interaction between actors and guests.
Productions have taken place in country manors, castles, hotels, barns, pubs, holiday cottages, campsites and private homes. The company has also taken its work abroad, including performances in Paris and on Nile river cruises. Its site-specific approach allows the surroundings to become part of the dramatic experience.
Alongside its mystery productions, Smoke & Mirrors offers undercover comedy waiters and themed interactive gin-tasting experiences. These additions extend its character-led entertainment into dining and social events, while custom scriptwriting allows individual bookings to reflect the people, venue and occasion involved.
More about Smoke & Mirrors
Leadership and backgrounds
- Co-founder Alexander Rain is Artistic Director, Playwright and Lead Actor. A LAMDA graduate, his stage and screen background includes the Oxford Playhouse and BBC's Holby City.
- Co-founder Sue Baxter is Booking Manager and Producer. Her background includes directing with the Oxford Theatre Guild and teaching drama at St Gabriel's in Newbury.
Operating model
The two principals manage the business with a rotating repertory of approximately 20 professional actors engaged per production.
Milestones and community activity
The company's first major public production took place at Wilton Windmill. Its reported event volume grew from eight in 2013 to 34 in 2014 and 90 in 2015, and it subsequently passed its 1,000th live event. Its longstanding community work includes the annual Murder Mystery & Hog Roast fundraiser at Wilton Windmill.
Recognition
The report identifies Smoke & Mirrors as a recipient of the Lux Life Global Entertainment Award; it supplies no award year.
Notable credits
12 creditsOpen roles
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