What we do
We have been performing Murder Mystery interactive plays since 2001. We specialise in bringing Entertainment to you, or your chosen venue. There is no need for a stage, just a performing space of any size will do. In most cases performances are to raise monies for charity (Richard's note: we charge a modest fee to cover costs) and we provide everything needed to have a wonderful “sleuthing” afternoon, or evening. We have a range of original themed /period Murder Mysteries and our shows are suitable for all ages.
In addition we also perform promenade styled Murder Events and Murder Parties where you and your friends are immersed within an action evening great for those special occasions and guests can be as involved as they wish or go along for the ride.
Everyone likes a good Pantomime - `Oh yes we do!' and we have been writing and touring with our own Pantomimes since 2013. Essentially focused at Primary School Children we have designed a 90 minute Pantomime that can be equally enjoyed by all ages.
Like our Murders, our Pantos are completely portable so we can bring the Entertainment to YOU and there is no requirement for a stage just a space for us to perform.
Medway, and Kent in general, are not short on Culture or Heritage and there are numerous and varied festivals and events occurring through-out the year. At Alternate Shadows we have supported many of these by providing; interactive actors to engage the general public, costumed extras to enhance atmosphere such as Victorian characters for the Dickens Festival in Rochester. Also we perform bespoke scenarios, cameo roles and interactive plays.
To see us in action check out the drop down tab or visit our YouTube page and follow us on social media.
Alternate Shadows works in a whole range of educational scenarios from adult education in the creative arts, to primary school fun workshops. We also do a lot of work to support training for medical students at Canterbury Christ Church University, The University of Kent and University of Greenwich - Medway School of Pharmacy. This entails acting scenarios to strengthen not only the students’ academic knowledge but also their communication and general “life” skills. A number of our members have qualifications in teaching and are DBS checked.
Occasionally, Alternate Shadows will be contacted by members of the public to help them with special projects; for example a number of students from the University of Creative Arts have used us in their Degree course work. Pictured here is one of our members engaged as a model.
Alternate Shadows also provided actors in a film project for Rochester Cathedral the 'Textus Roffensis' (the Medieval book that pre-dates the Magna Carta.)
This can be seen on an interactive screen in the Cathedral.
Every year we enter various drama festivals and competitions. We have performed in: The All England Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe, The Duncan Rand Festival as well as the Woking, Faversham, Welwyn Garden City and Gravesham Festivals. Performances range from comedy sketches and satirical works to one act plays. Often these are written by us, or by collaborative authors.
We work in film and radio; and during Covid have produced and performed our own short film “Dickens One Fifty” from an original script by Ben Henderson.
We also entered a radio play competition with "Butterflies"
(again written by Ben) which won numerous awards.
Please take a look at our YouTube site for this, and other short comedy sketch videos some of which have received recognition in Kent Film Awards.