The Interrogation
Long-form where interrogation scenes alternate with flashbacks that reveal the relationship between the suspect and the victim. The murder is just a handle — the real show is a nonlinear portrait of two people.
Players
4–8
Duration
20-30 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Host
Yes
Full description
Setup and Launch
You need at least four performers: two or three play detectives, one plays the suspect, and the rest fill in for flashbacks. Split the stage into an interrogation zone and a memory space — if possible, seat the suspect under a bright spotlight that cuts out when flashbacks begin. Before you start, brief the cast: the show is a ping-pong between interrogation scenes and flashbacks triggered by the suspect's answers. Time is nonlinear in both layers — flashbacks can jump to any moment in the relationship, and the interrogation itself can skip forward or backward.
Tell the audience a murder has taken place. Ask them to name the victim and the suspect (the victim's best friend), and how many years they had been friends. Make sure everyone understands: the murder is just a handle — the real point is the relationship between these two characters.
Flow
1. Backstory and Setup
The host describes the murder and gathers the characters' names and the length of their friendship from the audience. This lays the foundation for the show.
2. First Interrogation
Detectives open with a question that seeds a scene — something like: "How long have you known each other, and how did you meet?" The suspect answers in detail so there is material to play.
3. First Flashback
The answer triggers a flashback. Performers play out the described moment, leaning into the emotional or comedic truth of the relationship. Others join as needed.
4. Back to the Interrogation
After the flashback, return to the interrogation room. Detectives ask a new question — possibly jumping to a different point in the timeline. The answer again seeds the next flashback.
5. Continuing Flashbacks
Repeat the cycle: question — detailed answer — flashback. Flashbacks do not have to be chronological. The suspect can also share hearsay about the victim, triggering scenes the suspect was never part of. Supporting players can take on different roles from scene to scene, but the victim and the suspect must always be played by the same performers.
6. The Final Question and Blackout
The format ends when the detectives ask: "Did you do it?" The lights go out before the suspect can answer. The audience never learns whether they are guilty, and the murder itself is never shown.
Key rules
Answer in scene — The suspect must respond to questions with rich, specific detail so flashbacks have something real to play. "At a talent show at summer camp" gives the ensemble a scene; "we met at school" gives them nothing.
Time is nonlinear on both sides — Flashbacks can jump to any point in the relationship, and the interrogation itself can skip forward or backward. The suspect can signal timing: "Of course I'm happy to help" (early, cooperative) vs. "I've been here three days" (late, hostile).
The relationship is everything — Every scene must deepen the bond between the suspect and the victim. The murder is just a handle — chase the relationship, not the crime.
Questions launch scenes — Detectives ask questions that naturally lead to vivid, specific moments. A question like "When did you last see her?" is better than "Where were you Tuesday?" because it points toward a playable scene.
Listen actively in the interrogation — Detectives follow the suspect's answers closely and build each new question from what they just heard. This deepens the story and connects scenes into a coherent arc.
Commit to the truth of the moment — Performers must fully live the emotional reality of each scene. Good cop / bad cop pressure, genuine grief in a flashback, or an awkward first meeting all land only if you commit.
Do not rush to solve the murder — Resist the urge to reveal the killer early. The open ending is a feature, not a flaw.
The blackout matters — End the show on a blackout before the suspect answers "Did you do it?" That unresolved tension is the whole point.
Format structure
Context
Resources
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