Toronto Fringe Review: You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery

Clue meets The Traitors in a fantastic world of organized chaos. Presented by The Howland Company, this is You Choose: An Improvised Murder Mystery.

When I say organized chaos, I mean it. Everything is planned to a T—scenes are calculated, transitions are well-rehearsed, audience interactions build character dynamics. Thanks to these thoughtful details, the improv shines in brilliant ways, hence the chaos that ensues.

Discovering their character for the day’s show only once they’re on stage, cast members have just a few minutes to find their stride before entering their opening scene. This first introduction to the audience is the only impression viewers are given before casting their vote for the murderer. From a chef faking their French accent (Paloma Nuñez) to a vocal coach whose ears twitch every time there’s a vocal fry (Conor Bradbury), these initial moments with the cast set the tone: this is going to be a great show.

Liz Johnston toggles between guiding the audience through their interaction and acts as hotel staff within the mystery. She is the perfect anchor for the show, driving the comedy forward as she banters with the crowd and calls out the character quirks.

As an ensemble, the group of seven is ripe with chemistry, each giving way for another to land a punchline. And those punchlines are ever-rampant, each performer staying within their character’s wheelhouse no matter how absurd. The motivational speaker (Sharjil Rasool) spews believe-in-yourself propaganda at one character’s denial they could ever kill someone. The veterinarian’s (Brandon Hackett) attempt at saving a poisoned human is to ask if they’ve had a litter recently.

As someone who’s been craving laugh-out-loud improv for years, I owe a thank you to The Howland Company. This is the craft at its finest.

You Choose is on now until July 12 at the Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets