Murder at the Theatre
The Orpheum Palace presents a private audition for nine
Sit down, darling. Not there; that seat belongs to ambition.
I am Maximilian Vane, and I built the Orpheum Palace on a single conviction: that a man should rise on his own talent, or fall on his own lack of it. No patrons. No committees. No favours. A stage, a spotlight, and the truth about what you are.
Nine of you have answered my notice. Nine hopefuls, each clutching a monologue and a secret. You believe I am your ladder to the pictures. I am a harsher thing than a ladder. I am the audience.
Wear your finest. Bring your best performance. Leave your alibis at the door, for you will not be needing them, and someone in this room is going to wish they had kept them.
Maximilian Vane
Director, Producer, and Judge of the Orpheum Palace
You Are Summoned
- Evening
- Saturday, October 24th. Doors at 6:00 pm, curtain at 6:30 pm.
- The Stage Door
- The Plateau. The exact address is sent to confirmed guests. Knock twice and ask for the Director.
- Dress
- Roaring Twenties, in earnest: beads, bowlers, feathers, fedoras, pinstripes, pearls. Come as an amateur actor with something to prove.
- The House
- A dinner is served between the scenes. Tell your host about any dietary needs before the night.
The Orpheum Honours
Only the finest survive the night. At the final curtain, the following will be crowned.
Best Detective
For the guest who sees through the greasepaint, names the killer, and shows their working.
Best Actor
For the performance so convincing that even the dead director would have cast you.
Best Costume
For the finest dressed soul in the house. Sequins are not a crime. Neglecting them is.
Backstage Notice
Every good production looks after its cast. Please read this before you accept the part.
- Your character has secretsYour role card may include secret traits that ask you to act in ways that feel odd or uncomfortable: lying, accusing, flirting, scheming. You are always free to play it softer, or not at all.
- Pictures and filmThe evening may be photographed and filmed. You can withdraw your consent at any moment, or ask for your face to be blurred afterward. No reason needed.
- Full disclosuresComfort, consent, and everything else is set out in full on the Ensam page below. Please read it before you RSVP.