Murder mystery parties, cosy crime dramas, a copy of Sherlock Holmes by a roaring fire: We English love a murder to solve. Fictional ones are always preferable allowing one to focus on the 'fun, sleuth part' as opposed to the 'traumatic, harrowing part". It was under this premise that we headed along to play detective, witness and suspect at Funicular Productions'  Murdér Express Part Deux: Jewel of the Empire. 

The experience takes place in Whitechapel, an apt return to its murderous roots. From the moment you arrive, the scene is set and you are transported back to the thirties awaiting The Murdér Express to France which might be my new name for the Eurostar at 5pm on a Friday. 

The story is simple: the train, while carrying you and your fellow passengers, is also transporting a valuable diamond, the Jewel of the Empire, to restore it to its rightful owners. But where expensive diamonds travel, trouble will follow. Fellow guests include seductive ex-ballerina Marie, renowned archaeologist Errol Earhart, an earnest train guard and an acid-tongued lady of luxury. Some people lament that events like this can be too hammy and awkward to watch but this is the beauty of them. The outrageous accents! The over-exaggerated gestures! The nonsensical plot! Guests can revel in the playfulness of it all. It's a lot harder to focus on your amuse-bouche if a serious re-enactment of the Zodiac murders is going on beside you. 

The food itself is a sumptuous treat. The menu, designed by 2017 Masterchef winner Louise Ellis, starts with a punchy combination of grilled leeks and black garlic ketchup followed by an effortlessly tender slow-cooked beef shin for the main. A rich chocolate cremeux indulgently rounds off the meal. The courses are seamlessly integrated into the show though the service is perhaps too prompt with little time left to linger and enjoy the atmosphere.

The actors are boundlessly enthusiastic in that endearing "we won't drop our personas for anything" way. You can imagine if the building caught on fire, they'd insist on using the prop rotary phone, gasping "there's trouble down at old Pedley Street!". The experience is fully immersive as outside of the scripted dialogue, actors sit down at each table to interact with the guests, quizzing them on their alibis and asking them to spot clues. This is terrific fun or toe-curlingly awkward depending on how British you're feeling about the whole experience. 

A solid evening's entertainment for those seeking a fine dining experience with an added dose of intrigue.

To get your own tickets on the Murdér Express, please head here.