FUNDRAISING – Step-by-step murder mystery night


work out the logistics and recruit actors. Local amateur dramatics societies or secondary school drama students may be able to help.


● PRIZES: Source prizes for the winning team – the table who successfully guess the murderer and motive. If guests are wearing fancy dress, offer a prize for the best outfi ts.


● VENUE: Make sure there is enough room for a performance area and for your guests to sit around tables.


● THEME: Choose which murder mystery play you want and theme the rest of your event around it. Use your theme to help defi ne the dress code.


everything front-of-house, including the door, the bar, food, setting up the tables, organising quiz-marking and prizes. We did the backstage element, covering costumes, make-up, lighting and sound. Our costs were about £100 per event


for costumes and props (but a lot of this came out of our own wardrobes and the school drama cupboard), as well as printing costs. To boost profi ts we held a raffl e and also the quiz provided by Murderplays. The bar was our biggest boost, and in total we’ve raised around £2,000 per event!’


● MEAL: Consider whether to provide food or ask guests to bring their own. Discuss how the play will be broken up so that you can plan food and refreshments around intervals.


● TICKET OPTIONS: Sell individually priced tickets, as well as group tickets (i.e. a table of eight) in advance.


● SUPPLIERS: Employing the services of a specialist supplier will mean you have an initial upfront cost, but it will be worth every penny!


● DIY: If you’re feeling ambitious, you could write and perform your own play. Give yourself plenty of time to


● BOOST PROFITS: Raffl es make a great profi t booster, as do quizzes.


● PERSONALISE IT: Make it fun by personalising the script to include jokes about your school staff and PTA, etc.


● COSTUMES: Ask local theatre groups if you can borrow or hire items. Ask for sponsorship from companies for any bought items.


● CASTING: Be fi rm and decide on the casting rather than asking people to decide who they want to play, as this is the easiest way to ensure you have the best people for the parts.


● EVENT LENGTH: This can be a long evening with two intervals, a meal, a quiz and the denouement, so aim to start early and stick to your timings. Remember, there needs to be a long enough interval to give attendees time to choose their killer and reasons, plus time for you to mark these so the winner can be announced after the big reveal in the second act.


Step-by-step


Six months before Agree a date with the school or alternative venue and


ensure a key-holder is available on the day. Book a supplier and decide on the play and theme.


Two months before Start advertising the event and selling tickets through


an online platform or in person, and consider offering an early bird discount. Decide whether you will be providing a meal and begin sourcing costumes, if needed. Cast the play, getting the staff involved if possible, and start rehearsals. Approach local companies to ask for donations of


prizes for the winners, and put out a request for volunteers to help on the night.


One month before Continue promoting the event, both at school and


publicly through social media. If planning to sell alcohol, apply for a Temporary Event Notice. Increase the number of rehearsals in the run up to the event.


Two weeks before Send a press release to local media. Ensure you have


enough helpers on the day. Collate a list of volunteers and allocate roles. Source any additional costumes and props, free-of-charge if possible.


One week before Compile a list of guests’ names to tick off on the


door. Hold a dress rehearsal. On the day


Set up the hall for the event, including seating and


decorations. Ensure all props and prizes are at the venue. Have a fi nal run-through of the play after school and provide a group meal for the cast.


After the event Have a post-event debrief to discuss what worked well and


what may need tweaking for next time. Thank your volunteers and ask for feedback. Give details about how much was raised and how this will be spent.


pta.co.uk SPRING 2019 47


POWDER IMAGE: ISPIYAPHONG/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; COLOUR RUN IMAGES: DAWN MARROW


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