City’s Detective Trend Is No Mystery

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Marie Antoinette and her Court will share treats and secrets at the St James Theatre on Saturday December 12.
Seated, from left: Count Cagliostro (Roger Livingstone), Countess de Lamotte (Kerina Deas), Marie Antoinette (Francesca Emms), Nicole d'Oliva (Siren Delux)
Photo by Morgan Davie

For immediate release Eklektus, Inc. 04 December 2009

City’s Detective Trend Is No Mystery

It doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to see that Wellingtonians are going crazy for mysteries.

In recent weeks, the Capital’s amateur detectives have solved a Jazz Age crime at the Temperance bar’s Midweek Murder Mystery, unpicked a web of secrets in the decadent Death By Chocolate show, and snapped up Rowan Saker’s new murdermystery novel set in Wellington, Lovers Tiff.

The Capital’s next mystery is the most extravagant yet.

Affair of the Diamond Necklace is an interactive theatre event at the St James Theatre on Saturday December 12. For one night only, Wellington’s high-culture aficionados will be able to enter the Court of Marie Antoinette, and entangle themselves in a spectacular true-life mystery.

Why are mysteries so popular at the moment? Affair writer Morgan Davie thinks it is a sign of the times.

“People are feeling a lot of pressure right now, as New Zealand stares down a global recession and the massive threat of climate change. When the pressure comes down, people need to escape.”

However, Davie thinks there’s more to the trend than just escapism.

“There’s definitely something specific about mysteries that strikes a chord. I think it’s about taking back some power.”

“When you read a mystery novel, or go to a mystery show, you get to put your own wits to work. Solving a mystery gives you a kind of hero buzz. And everyone wants a hero buzz!”

Affair of the Diamond Necklace is a true-life mystery that has never been fully solved.

Historians argue to this day about what really happened and who was responsible.

Their only agreement is that the affair’s historical cast were all larger than life!

Indeed, guests will share a fabulous French meal with the arrogant Cardinal Rohan, the famed magician Cagliostro, and Queen Marie Antoinette herself.

No expense has been spared to recreate the Court of Versailles in 1785, and guests will be surrounded by opulence and scandal, with only their wit and insight to help uncover the truth. The best detectives will win the favour of the Queen - and prizes from the Alliance Francaise de Wellington.

ENDS

Further art is available. Performers, Director and Writer are all available for interview.

TV3 Nightline story: http://www.3news.co.nz/Interactive-play-brings-the-1700s-to-Wellington/tabid/728/articleID/132578/cat/17/Default.aspx

YouTube trailer for the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIdPocin4vg

Show website: http://www.eklektusinc.com/projects/marie_antoinette.php

The Affair of the Diamond Necklace is produced by Eklektus Inc. Directed by Eric Dorfman. Written by Morgan Davie.

Supported by a grant from the New Zealand Performing Arts Foundation, and by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise de Wellington.

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