Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon has become known for its original murder mysteries, and the professional theatre company’s 20th anniversary season is no exception with the premiere of The Great Palm Tree Beach Tiki Bar Tragedy opening on Wednesday (July 19) and running for 10 performances until July 29 at the Lakeview Arts Barn.
Written and directed by artistic director Sarah Quick, this comedic murder mystery dinner theatre show stars Quick along with some of Canada’s best improvisers and performers: Kevin Sepaul (Drayton Entertainment, Charlottetown Festival), Jennine Profeta (Girls Nite Out, Second City), and Canadian Comedy Award winners Dave Pearce (SlapHappy, The Strombo Show, CBC), Connor Thompson (Lusty Mannequins, Second City, CBC), and Kerry Griffin (SlapHappy, Second City, Bad Dog Theatre Co.).
“We have produced over a dozen original murder mysteries to date,” Quick says. “We used to do them solely in the off-season but, two years ago as we were pivoting all over the place, we produced one in the summertime and it was a smash hit. We like the variety it brings in terms of staging and theatricality.”
A hilarious interactive show where theatre patrons use their detective skills to solve a mystery while enjoying food and drink in the dining room at the Lakeview Arts Barn, The Great Palm Tree Beach Tiki Bar Tragedy is set during the official opening of Tata’s Tiki Bar, the largest-ever tiki bar on the fictional island of Hotcajun.
Not only has everyone in Hotcajun been invited to the grand opening, tourists have jetted in from around the world. But there’s trouble in this tropical paradise for one reveller, as rest and relaxation turn into terror and tragedy — somebody is a cold-blooded killer.
There are five prime suspects in the murder mystery, each played by one of the company of performers.
Tata’s Tiki Bar owner Tabitha Tahabra is a recent widow and wealthy socialite who is the life and soul of every party, but is also a ruthless businesswoman who loves fame and power. Casey James, the tiki bar host and events manager, encourages everyone to have “a good time, all the time” with cocktails, impromptu dance breaks, party game participation, and fun.
Roger Goodsort and Allison “Ally” Goodsort are enthusiastic brother-and-sister tourists, raring to try everything, who are visiting Hotcajun from its twin town of Bobcaygeon. Stu Studly, the mayor of Hotcajun, is a ladies man who recently appeared on the island’s version of The Bachelor and will do anything to increase tourism to the island.
Humphrey Hardacre is a former city financier who left the corporate world to run Joe’s Crab Shack next door to the tiki bar, changing his name to Avyana and spending his time surfing, meditating, and playing the bongos.
During The Great Palm Tree Beach Tiki Bar Tragedy, audience members of all ages are encouraged to play along and get into character by dressing in their best tropical vacation attire and creating an identity as one of the guests at the official opening of Tata’s Tiki Bar. They could be a tour guide, a famous pop star, a travel writer, an Instagram influencer, a limbo or snorkelling champion, an annoying tourist, a jetsetter, a cool surfer dude, a sunscreen salesman, a local reporter, a politician, or a group of cocktail connoisseurs … the possibilities are endless.
While participating as a character is entirely optional, Globus Theatre promises it will enhance the murder mystery experience.
“Our company of performers are some of the funniest people you will find anywhere and are great at involving those audience members that want to participate … and leaving alone those that don’t,” Quick says. “I write them the setting and the scenario and they take it from there.”
The Great Palm Tree Beach Tiki Bar Tragedy begins at 6:30 p.m. from Wednesday, July 19th to Saturday, July 22nd and again from Tuesday, July 25th to Saturday, July 29th, with an additional matinee performance beginning at 12:30 p.m. on July 29. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the evening performances and at 12 p.m. for the matinee performance.
Seating for The Great Palm Tree Beach Tiki Bar Tragedy is set up in cabaret style with eight people per table. After everyone has arrived and the show begins, theatre-goers will spend the first half hour meeting the prime suspects and mingling with other guests, enjoying canapes while they get into detective mode. The mystery will then begin, and anything can happen at anytime in the 45 minutes before the buffet dinner is served (with a side of murder of course).
After a 30-minute dinner break, the mystery continues with more opportunities to question the prime suspects and guess the culprit. When dessert arrives 30 minutes later, it’s time to examine the evidence before coffee is served and the solution to the mystery is revealed.
Tickets for The Great Palm Tree Beach Tiki Bar Tragedy are $90 (plus tax and fee) and are available by calling the Globus Theatre box office at 705-738-2037 or online at globustheatre.com.
