The Haunting of the McBride Museum
“Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot!”
It was a dark and ominous night in the 1950s when fear struck the capital city. The MacBride Museum had been hosting a pleasant evening for the citizens of Whitehorse, when the discovery of a body sent many into a panic.
Was the museum haunted? What was the meaning of the grisly discovery? Was anybody safe? And most vitally: Who Dun It??
It is clear the diabolical deed will require dedicated detection to determine the doer!
Can you solve the mystery? Do you fancy yourself an armchair detective? Have you the honed intellect to deliver a Holmesian hypothesis? Can you churn through the clues with the chops of a Charlie Chan? Can you attempt an analysis to arrive at the answer, as Lew Archer’s arrows do?
The Haunting of the MacBride Museum will provide an opportunity to put your sleuthing skills to the test; or alternatively, simply enjoy an evening of mayhem and merriment. The museum is hosting the murder mystery over two nights. October 29 is for young people 18 and under, while October 30 is an adult event for those 19 and older.
Doors open at 6:30 each evening, with performances starting at 7 p.m.
The production is a joint effort between the museum and The Yukon Theatre for Young People (YTYP).
Angela Drainville is the theatre’s executive and artistic director. She says the event is geared to getting the audience involved. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the period, and immerse themselves in the story.
“It’s a mingle mystery,” she said. “The guests are going to be detectives and the characters will be interacting with them. So everybody is part of the story as it plays out.”
She says the format provides the young actors an opportunity to work on their craft. They’ll have to stay in character and think on their feet while dealing with the unexpected.
“The characters have experienced a haunting, and it’s all very much improv,” she said. “They have a list of things they can tell, and also things that they should hide, unless they’re asked directly.”
YTYP is a registered charity that provides opportunities for young people to take part in the performing arts, including live music and theatre performances. Drainville says its mandate includes developing leadership skills, and community engagement.
She says that as well as producing the murder mystery and an annual mainstage performance, the theatre company offers substance-free events, and workshops throughout the year, supporting healthy choices and mental wellness for youth.
The murder mystery is a free event, but people are encouraged to reserve tickets ahead of time.
