Step back in time to 1987 with Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay, where a local bowls club becomes the scene of a murder mystery filled with crooked cops, shady locals, and secrets.
Presented by Improv Queensland, Murder at the Bowlo will take place at Bramble Bay Bowls Club in Woody Point this month.
Daniel Johnston, Artistic Director of Improv Queensland and director of the show, said attendees would meet big, bold characters – “each one coated in the grime of late-80s Queensland, just before the Fitzgerald Inquiry blew the lid off everything”.
“It’s the annual fundraiser for the local Bowlo, and everyone’s turned up: lifelong members, local personalities, and community figures with long memories and even longer grudges,” Daniel said. “As the night unfolds, audiences won’t just watch the story; they’ll be part of it, moving through the space, overhearing secrets, and choosing who to trust.
An Interactive Mystery Where You’re Part of the Story
“Bring your curiosity, your instincts, and your best detective skills, because everyone has something to hide.
“And for the first detective to crack the case – correctly identifying the murderer, motive, means, and opportunity – there’s a very fitting prize waiting: a classic Aussie meat tray.”
Participants can either work as a team or go solo to solve the crime.
“Each character holds key pieces of information, and part of the challenge is deciding how to gather and connect those clues,” Daniel said. “In a group, you can divide and conquer…Going solo creates a more high-stakes, investigative feel.
“Either way, we do our best to ensure that everyone has access to the clues they need in order to solve the mystery.”
Daniel said that one of the biggest challenges of an improv performance like Murder At the Bowlo was the unpredictability of the audience.
“Like all strong improv, the show is built on a balance of clear structure and live spontaneity,” he said. “The key clues will always surface, but how, when, and through whom they’re revealed is entirely shaped by the audience.”
He added that the Anywhere Festival was a rare opportunity to both develop and present a wide range of work for local audiences.
“What keeps drawing us back is its flexibility; artists are encouraged to shape their shows around the venue itself, which becomes a creative challenge in its own right and often leads to unexpected, exciting outcomes,” he said.
“That spirit of experimentation is something we really value. We’re proud to be part of a festival that continues to champion new work and bold ideas.”
Tickets start at $20. Get your tickets here.
Murder at the Bowlo
- Saturday, 23 May, 7.30pm (doors 7pm)
- Bramble Bay Bowls Club
- Hornibrook Esplanade and Victoria Avenue, Woody Point
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