Se ha escrito un crimen (Murder She Wrote) by Teatre Apolo, Barcelona Review
Written by Philip for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Although Se ha escrito un crimen is not directly related to dear Mrs. Fletcher, its title gives a good idea of what the show is like. This musical revolves around one crime, seven suspects, and strange conspiracies, evoking the style of shows like The Mousetrap or Quién mató a Sherlock Holmes, but with its own unique twist: the audience plays a pivotal role by deciding who the murderer is, effectively changing the ending at each performance. I also want to praise the show’s pamphlet, published on the theatre’s website, which includes a list of possible trigger warnings and a recommended age for attending.
For the most part, the play boasts a solid cast, both in the singing and acting departments. One of the highlights for me was Sergio Peiro as Rodolfo Schnitzel, the butler. Between scenes, he would come down to the stalls and interact with the audience, showcasing his improvisation skills. His song was also very impressive and earned him many rounds of applause. Lucía Madrigal was hilarious as Dakota Sinclair, an influencer who had everyone laughing with her TikTok references and bubbly personality. She also had a great solo.
The script was witty, with enjoyable twists and turns. The interactive moments with the audience added to the fun of the experience. They also made good use of the stage and minimal furniture. The characters, except perhaps Dr. Bellerose, who I found a bit unpleasant, were all distinct and entertaining to watch. The choreography, by Ivanna Gómez, was well integrated into the show and worked well with the songs, created by Pedro Chalkho and Naim Thomas.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable experience that I’d recommend to fans of comedy and murder mysteries.
You can catch it at Teatre Apolo, only on Tuesdays, until August 12.
★★★★
