Returning for a third installment, the hugely popular Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] will see over 45 famous faces take on the role of the Inspector in a murder mystery fundraising spoof.
Without ever seeing the script and only hearing their lines via an earpiece moments before speaking, one celebrity from a star-studded line-up of comedians, actors, presenters and musicians will take to the stage to perform the lead role. Who it will be each night is the greatest mystery of all, and only revealed when the curtain goes up. New faces in this year’s line-up include award winning actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Beverley Knight, Adrian Lester and Jodie Whittaker who will be attempting to solve a series of grizzly murders aboard a train.
The voice of Richard Kind joins Ian McKellen in providing the narration in the fundraiser, and confirmed guests returning to the stage as the unsuspecting Inspector include: Clive Anderson, Gillian Anderson, David Baddiel, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Marcus Brigstocke, Brian Cox, Simon Callow, Michelle Collins, Nina Conti, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Les Dennis, Adrian Dunbar, Mark Gatiss, Tamsin Greig, David Haig, Harry Hill, Adam Hills, Ronan Keating, Ross Kemp, Maureen Lipman, Gareth Malone, Jason Manford, Stephen Mangan, Tim McInnerny, David Mitchell, Neil Morrissey, Eddie Nestor, Sue Perkins, Clarke Peters, Daisy Ridley, Rob Rinder, Meera Syal, Tony Robinson, Catherine Tate, Sandi Toksvig, Johnny Vegas, Tim Vine and Greg Wise. Amanda Abbington, Asim Chaudhry and Christopher Biggins are their latest additions with more to be announced. After the show each celebrity will take part in a post-show Q&A where the audience take over the interrogation.
The permanent company of actors who will be putting the VIP’s through their paces every night includes returning company members from previous Whodunnit runs Lewis Bruniges, Caroline Deverill, Molly Barton, Robert Blackwood and Natasha Colenso. New additions include Anshula Bain (We Could All Be Perfect at Sheffield Theatres, Tartuffe at Birmingham Rep), Ciarán Dowd (Edinburgh Comedy Award 2018 for Best Newcomer, Don Rodolfo at Edinburgh Fringe and on BBC 2) and Matthew Romain (King Lear & Hamlet at Shakespeare’s Globe, The Recruiting Officer at the Donmar Warehouse).
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend in Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3 – or are they? As the temperature plummets, tensions rise and the bodies keep on falling. Can our illustrious Inspector keep this journey on track, or will this be a bus replacement service for everyone? Murder, mayhem and this time… magnificent magic!
Now in its third edition at Park Theatre, the fundraiser is presented at the close of the venue’s 10th anniversary year to combat the rising costs of making live theatre and running the venue during the cost-of-living crisis. Park Theatre receives no regular public subsidy, and the funds raised will go towards costs including keeping the venue accessible, supporting emerging writers, and their free weekly classes for those with dementia and their carers.
Writer and director Jez Bond said: “I’m thrilled to be bringing the third instalment of Whodunnit to the stage – determined to move things forward each time this show further develops the concept with even more gags, more surprises and a sparkle of magic thrown on top. Once again we’re delighted with the host of stars who are kindly giving up their time to support the charity – particularly at this challenging time for arts funding in London.”
Park Theatre presents exceptional theatre in the heart of Finsbury Park, boasting two world-class performance spaces: Park200 for predominantly larger scale productions by established talent, and Park90, a flexible studio space, for emerging artists. In ten years, it has enjoyed 10 West End transfers (including Rose starring Maureen Lipman, The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss, Pressure starring David Haig and The Life I Lead starring Miles Jupp), two National Theatre transfers, 14 national tours, six Olivier Award nominations, has won multiple Offie Awards and won a Theatre of the Year award from The Stage.
