Due to unforseen circumstances, this event has been cancelled
For anyone who loves a good murder mystery, there is a case with a difference to be unfolded at Bagshaw Museum in Batley. It involves a long lost Professor, a neglected museum and an unfortunate accident, with time travel and a steampunk twist for added intrigue.
‘The Mystery of the Appearing Professor’ is being staged on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May at 6pm to mark Museums at Night.
The inter-dimensional steampunk murder mystery is stand-alone sequel to last year’s highly successful ‘Mystery of the Vanishing Professor’ and is set over a century on from the events of that drama.
The performance opens at the an auction of some the artefacts from the vaults of the 120-year-old, and now failing, museum. The sudden appearance of a strange man claiming to be the long-lost Professor William E Lyke leads to a series of seemingly inexplicable events and the discovery of a body. It becomes a race against time to solve the mystery and save the museum, the victim and perhaps all time and space itself.
With deceit and betrayal at every turn and time no longer running in a linear fashion, this is easier said than done.
The audience will be invited to play an active role in this piece of theatre produced exclusively for Bagshaw Museum – their actions may even change the plot.
It is written and directed by local arts practitioner Becky Maries, who also wrote and directed the ‘Mystery of the Vanishing Professor’. She played Mary in the Wakefield Mysteries 2016, has worked with “Right up your Street” in Doncaster and Yew Tree Theatre, and has also produced many works for Wakefield Cathedral.
Steampunk is a form of science fiction which draws on alternative versions of Victorian history and the American Wild West. It imitates how those cultures might have envisaged the future and features retro-futuristic inventions inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.
The murder mystery will be played out 6pm-9pm on both nights. Tickets cost £8 per person (minimum age 12 years) including refreshments. Tickets can be purchased at the museum in Wilton Park or by telephoning 01924 324765.
Steampunk/time travel costume is optional and there will be photo opportunities with the cast and props after the performances.
Museums at Night is a UK-wide festival of after-hours events to spotlight the culture and heritage accessible in museums and galleries. It is organised by the arts charity Culture 24.
