Description
Court in the Act is a downloadable historical murder mystery game set at England’s royal court for 13 to 21 guests and one or two hosts. Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, and many others, try to solve the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Written by Mo Holkar. Recommended for ages 15+.
Court in the Act is an evening of revelry, intrigue, and murder! Your guests will be in the middle of the action, and it will be up to them to wheel and deal to get what they want. Will they achieve their goals, keep their secrets hidden, and survive Court in the Act?
The Court of St James’s Palace, London, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. All present have but lately arrived from the Royal premier of Master Shakespeare’s latest rib-tickling comedy, Two Ladies of Venice. Now, the Queen makes merry and entertains her courtiers, guests, would-be husbands, and envoys from foreign powers, with a sumptuous banquet.
But while all prepare to feast and frolic, dark clouds gather, the sound of war-drums is heard in the distance – and that dear old man the Archbishop of Canterbury, who surely had never an enemy in the world, is found brutally murdered!
At Court in the Act you will discover the following:
- Who murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury?
- Why must Queen Elizabeth never marry?
- Who wrote Shakespeare’s plays?
- What is the secret of Dr John Dee’s magical powers?
… and can England be saved from defeat by the Spanish Armada?
Find out in Court in the Act!
Court in the Act lasts for about four hours and is suited to an evening. It is often played over a meal – a finger buffet if possible, to allow guests to circulate and talk in private.
The free introductory pdf file contains an introduction to the game, a cast list of all the characters.
Cast of characters
- Elizabeth, named Gloriana, a Queen
- Mary, Queen of Scots, a Dethroned Monarch
- Philippe of France, a Junior Prince
- His Eminence Diego Menendez de Aviles, Cardinal of Seville
- His Grace Andrew Prim, Archbishop of York
- Robert Deveraux, Earl of Essex, a Gallant and Peer of the Realm
- Señor Juan Futin da Greve, Ambassador of the King of Spain
- Sir Francis Walsingham, close adviser to the Queen
- Sir Walter Raleigh, an Explorer
- Sir Francis Drake, a most Daring sailor and Champion Bowler
- Lady Catherine Northwood, lady-in-waiting upon Her Majesty
- Lord Canning, military counsellor to the Queen
- General FitzBacon, a commander of Irish mercenaries and moss-troopers
- Signor Pico della Mirandola, a Philosopher of Venice
- Doctor John Dee, Adept and Magus
- Master Chris. Marlowe, an established play-writer
- Master Wm. Shakespeare, an Actor of some new-found fame
- Master Edward Kelley, an Associate of Doctor Dee
- Mistress Jane Dee, Wife to Doctor Dee
- Mistress Nagel, a serving-wench
- Hobbs, a servant
The characters can all be played by people of any gender – in keeping with the cross-dressing spirit of Shakespeare’s plays, by which this game is in spired.
You also need one or two hosts, to organize the party and ensure everything runs smoothly.
How Freeform Games murder mystery games work
Court in the Act is unlike other murder mystery games. Although the game starts with a murder, each character has several goals they must try to accomplish. While they may want to solve the murder, Court in the Act contains plenty of other plots and secrets to keep everyone busy. Court in the Act isn’t scripted, and lets the players decide how to achieve their goals and thwart their enemies.
“Court in the Act was amazing! We made so much food but everyone forgot to eat because they were so in to the game. We used our balcony for ‘private conversations’. Very few of my guests had played a murder mystery game before but the ones who had agreed that this was a way better, more interactive set up.”
Jo Dixon, Canada
On the evening of the game the guests are met by the organizer, the Chamberlain of the Court of St James.
They then receive their detailed backgrounds – including dark secrets, objectives, and items. When everyone has arrived the Chamberlain announces that, despite the recent tragic events, dinner will now be served. The fun then begins as everyone questions, bribes, and blackmails each other. As the evening progresses they may even try to murder one another!
Finally, the game concludes and everyone finds out how they did, and what secrets everyone else was concealing.
Recommended for ages 15+
We recommend Court in the Act for those aged 18+, as it contains plotlines around extra-marital affairs, an illegitimate child, and references to belief in the occult and demonic power.
Extra characters
- ‘Ginger’ Roberts – freelance reporter in search of the Big Story (by Freeform Games)
- Carlos Santiago – Assistant to the Spanish Ambassador (by Pam Hoffmann and Jeremy Gustafson)
- Syrino Foreal – Cardinal’s under-secretary (by Pam Hoffmann and Jeremy Gustafson)
Cast Iron Guarantee
We offer a Cast Iron Guarantee on all our murder mystery games. If you’re not completely satisfied with Court in the Act then please let us know within 30 days and we will refund you. See our full terms and conditions, and our refund policy.
BUY GAME
Players: 13 – 21
Price: US$79.99 – Immediate Download