Christmas may still seem distant, but numerous companies are already preparing their corporate gatherings. At Murder Mystery Live, specialists in immersive theatrical experiences, they note that this season, enquiries and bookings are arriving earlier. The availability of restaurants and private spaces in December is one of the reasons for finalising arrangements as soon as possible.
“This year, we’ve noticed that many companies have started organising their celebrations quite far in advance. They want to secure a good venue and offer their employees something different,” explains Rodri López, manager at Murder Mystery Live.
From the traditional dinner to the company lunch
Christmas dinners remain appealing, but the requests Murder Mystery Live receives reflect a greater interest in holding gatherings during the day.
Lunch makes it easier to fit the celebration into the workday, can promote work-life balance, and avoids certain late-night travel.
The change isn't just about the time. Many organisations want their teams to share more than just a meal. They are looking for participatory experiences that can break down usual cliques and generate conversations that continue after the event.
“"A mysterious murder during lunch"
What if the celebration began with a crime?
Murder Mystery Live combines theatrical performance, investigation, and gaming in an experience lasting approximately two hours. A cast of professional actors embodies the suspects in a fictional murder, while attendees become teams of investigators.
Murder Mystery Live combines theatrical performance, investigation, and gaming in an experience lasting approximately two hours. A cast of professional actors embodies the suspects in a fictional murder, while attendees become teams of investigators.
The characters move among the tables, offer testimonies, hide secrets, and contradict themselves. Colleagues must ask questions, share clues, discuss theories, and identify the culprit.
The plot unfolds alongside the meal and concludes with a joint resolution and an award for the best investigators.
“The interesting part is seeing how people who barely interact end up passionately debating who committed the murder. Suddenly, everyone has something to contribute,” notes Rodri.
The concept is adaptable to restaurants with private rooms, hotels, and unique venues in Madrid. It can be organised for groups of various sizes by adjusting the number of actors, and allows for customisation of story elements depending on the company or chosen location.
In these celebrations, participation becomes a tool to connect people from different departments without resorting to formal work dynamics.
Attendees move from being spectators to co-creating a shared story.
Attendees move from being spectators to co-creating a shared story.
The lesson from this Christmas campaign is twofold: it’s wise to plan ahead and consider what you want employees to remember.
Because, in the end, perhaps no one will remember the second course, but they will remember the moment they discovered their colleague from Accounting had been defending the murderer all afternoon.
Because, in the end, perhaps no one will remember the second course, but they will remember the moment they discovered their colleague from Accounting had been defending the murderer all afternoon.
“"After all... who doesn't enjoy trying to solve a mysterious murder?"
