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Delicious Menu of Murder Mystery in Bristol !

Make a Date for Murder Mystery in Bristol

This year a “Delicious Menu of Murder Mystery in Bristol” is offered at several popular Bristol venues.
A murder mystery dinner guarantees a fun evening of interactive entertainment. Julian Franks of South West based company 1st Call Entertainment comments that “currently murder mystery evenings are more popular than ever.”

“They offer a great fun night out and an opportunity to dress up and escape from everyday life”. 1st call provide murder mystery dinner evenings for private parties and events but are also presenting an exciting evening of murder mystery at several popular Bristol venues. These include 4th June and 19th August at the Doubletree by Hilton,Cadbury House 28th October Aztec Hotel & Spa and 7th October on board Bristol’s world famous S. S Great Britain.

Please contact 1st Call Entertainment or the venue for further and finer details of these fun nights of murder mystery and intrigue.

Adele Tribute friend of 1st Call – J’Adele meets the real Adele

Busy time for Adele Tribute

It is a busy time for Adele tribute acts at the moment with Adele’s album 25, topping the charts. 1st Call are often called upon to provide Adele tributes for our clients and we have several excellent ones on our books.

The BBC recently aired a programme featuring Adele tributes from around the UK including friend of 1st Call Entertainment – J’Adele. Otherwise known as Sarah Evans.

A group of Adele tribute acts auditioned for Graham Norton’s fictional pilot show. However, one of the tribute acts is Adele in disguise. Was she be able to keep her true identity a secret from them?

Check out the link to see the full programme

1st Call has always prided itself on offering handpicked tribute acts and it was great to see J’adele on the BBC.

With Adele being so popular at the moment we have a number of excellent Adele Tributes.

Click here to contact us now for availability.Adele Tribute Act J'Adele

Night of Nostalgia at cabaret in Carmarthen

This weekend the club house of Carmarthen Golf Cub was decorated 1940’s style as the seniors hosted their eagerly awaited “1940’s Blitz Themed Night” cabaret in Carmarthen.

As well as enjoying a sumptuous three course meal,1st Call Entertainment’s
duo, Double Impact were on hand to entertain.

They took guests on a nostalgic musical trip back to the 1940’s with a selection of songs which helped win the war!

From emotionally charged numbers such as ‘We’ll meet again, Berkeley Square and Lovely weekend to popular singalong songs like ‘The Lambeth walk’ and
‘Pack up your troubles’.

After much singing along and waving of flags the clock came forward to the present day and guests were invited to dance the night away to the duo’s fabulous musical party set.

It was certainly a night to be remembered and club members can now look forward to an exciting programme of social events throughout 2016.

Time to book Christmas Entertainment in Bristol, Cardiff, and across the South West

Professional-party-band-400

As the summer nights are starting to draw in now is the time to be thinking about and booking your Christmas party entertainment in Bristol, Cardiff and the South West.

Bristol and South West based, 1st Call Entertainment comment that “…still by far the most popular choice for a Christmas party is a good quality live party band ”

A professional party band will perform two one hour musical sets offering value for money and guaranteeing to have your guests up dancing the night away.

The most requested party band is one which performs an extensive mix of classic pop/ dance songs from the different decades, 1960s to the present day.

Alternatively you can request and book a band that focus on a particular pop music style such as disco, motown, reggae or soul !

Another very popular option is to book a tribute band, a group which looks like and performs the greatest hits of a particular famous band.

Party-Band-Slider-300x100You can choose a tribute to a classic band like for example, The Beatles, Beach Boys or Bee Gees or a more current chart act such as Take That or One Direction.

Somerset’s, 1st Call Entertainment are able to offer a wide and exciting choice of both party bands and tribute acts and are your 1st call for entertainment in Bristol, Cardiff and the South West

So to make sure that your Christmas party is a great success why not look now at booking a party band or tribute act.

The S.S. Great Britain prepares for Winston!

Murder Mystery witnessed on Bristol based Ship

murder-on the pier

Hushed whispers and knowing looks across the room were the order of the day as the villagers of Alldown-on-the-Rasel prepared for a secret visit from the Prime Minister Winston Churchill, to view the latest invention as part of the war effort to thwart the Axis powers – ‘The Great Panjandrum’.

 

But all was not well, the rocket scientist looked decidedly dodgy and before anyone knew it, he was staggering along the ships wonderful stateroom, gasping for breath, before crashing to the floor. Murder By Design were at it again and another murderous production was underway for the general public on board Brunel’s maritime masterpiece the s.s. Great Britain.

 

Almost 100 people witnessed the wartime story unfold before their eyes and by the end of the evening more bodies turned up but everyone thankfully left safe in the knowledge that the murderer had been apprehended.

 

In the Murder Mystery Business for 35 Years and still going!

murder-on the pierThe Dastardly business of Murder Mystery evenings

The dastardly business of Murder Mystery evenings has been going on for over 35 years and Murder By Design, one of the oldest exponents in this dark art have remained faithful to the original concept, invented by Joy Swift MBE (God bless her) of setting the scene in an altogether more genteel era of the 1920’s and 30’s, such peaceful times, were they not?

Think again! The world was recovering from the Great War and the Fuhrer was already on the rise for a second go; it was a time of espionage, fast money, spurned lovers, gangsters and insurance fraudsters; all of these reasons have been ingeniously woven into the plots and storylines in order to baffle and bemuse all but the seasoned campaigner who has ever attempted to solve ‘whodunnit?’

…just about everything in between including ships, castles, tents and even a Cinema.

Murder Mystery events have been staged in grand country houses and modern high street hotels and just about everything in between including ships, castles, tents and even a Cinema. The public appetite for them has waxed and waned over the last three decades but currently the genre appears to be very much on the up with 1st Call Entertainment, a prominent agent of said events, purporting record enquiries from individuals and corporate bookers alike. There doesn’t appear to be any one geographical area either that favours murder mystery entertainment and most of the major cities London, Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff continue showing strong interest.

We have entertained somewhere approaching 50,000 people throughout our time in the Murder Mystery business

How many people attend these events? Murder By Design estimate, they alone, have entertained somewhere murder-mystery-gun-knifeapproaching 50,000 people throughout their time in the business as the second longest established murder company in the world, so you would hope they have a fairly good idea what they are talking about. Individual events can range from as few as 12 to as many as 250 with the average being around 100 guests. ‘we often see the same faces turn up more than once and so we have to closely monitor the storylines that we perform at a venue to make sure that people get a new one when they come back to see us again’ commented the creative director from Murder By Design.

It will be 50 years next year since Agatha Christie made her own ‘exit stage right’, but the interest in stylish murders and the appeal to attend these quirky, highly entertaining dinners where you can mix fine dining, fine wine and a dead body or two by the time dessert arrives endures, and long may it continue.

murder-mystery-footer

Publishers Party turns into Murder Mystery in Bristol

murder-mystery-dinnerLast week a popular Bristol venue turned back the hands of time to 1937 to host a lavish company VIP party. It was time for another fabulous Murder Mystery Dinner in Bristol. The famous publisher Martyn Packard choose Cadbury House near Bristol to celebrate 10 glorious years of his hugely successful publishing company, Packard publishing.

Members of the general public were able to attend this very special occasion and after arrival drinks enjoy a fabulous three course meal in the company of Martyn Packard and all of his famous authors. This included the action thriller writer Cobb Hollow and romantic novelist Millicent Johnson.

However true to the style of a classic murder mystery there was very little to celebrate. By the end of the evening three of Mr Packard’s celebrity authors endured a terrible death. All in the manner as depicted in their famous books!

Fortunately PC Bailey from Exeter was on hand to investigate and with much help from members of the general public, was able to apprehend and arrest the murderer.

The evening was certainly eventful, so much so that perhaps someone should write a book about it!

The next evening of murder,mystery and intrigue at Cadbury House,Bristol is on the 28th August 2015.

Somerset Wedding Murder Mystery on the Grand Pier!

murder-on the pierFriday the 13th (March) saw a Somerset wedding murder mystery take place on the counties most famous seaside landmark, The Grand Pier in Weston super Mare. It hosted it’s second sold out murder mystery evening.

The evening of murder, mystery and mayhem was presented by Somerset based company Murder by Design who this year celebrate 35 years in the murder business!

Guests were invited to dress up and attend the society wedding of the year,that of the
only daughter of Sir Joseph and Lady Helen Ramsbottom, the Rt honourable Daphne Ramsbottom

Daphne is to wed the up and coming British portrait artiste Standon Drew who she met in Paris after her grand tour of Europe.

Although the day started well, by the time guests were served desserts at the wedding breakfast no less then three VIP guests had got their “just desserts” and met horrible deaths !

Fortunately P.C Bailey from Exeter was on hand to investigate and before the wedding evening came to a close was able to apprehend the murderer and ensure the guests safety, that is at least until the next murder mystery to be staged on the Grand Pier, ”The School Reunion” on Friday 18th September 2015.

Lighting up lovers liaisons in London

The London Connection

As a company that specialise in Hand-picked Entertainment, we often get asked to recommend venues and companies in London.

With such a huge range of venues and budgets, it would be impossble to narrow down the recommendation to a few. We decided to highlight venues that we have recently had experience of.

The Beaufort Estate, Windsor, London

Beaufort-Estate-400We visited this lovely venue at the weekend, with our Singing Waiters. Set in 40 acres of majestic, beautifully landscaped grounds just outside of Windsor lies Beaumont Estate. The perfect backdrop for your big day, the Estate offers stunning wedding rooms, 414 luxury bedrooms, and your very own dedicated wedding & events team.

The ideal Berkshire wedding venue, Beaumont Estate:

  • Offers the lovely boutique White House – a perfect venue for an exclusive wedding
  • Features the impressive Hanover Suite – ideal for larger weddings up to 550
  • Proudly boasts the very unique Chapel – one of Conde Nast Bride Magazine’s Top UK 100 Wedding Venues and was featured in the BBC3’s Don’t tell the Bride.

 

 

The Tower of London

tower-of-london-400For nearly 1,000 years the mighty Tower of London has stood in service of the monarch, anchored on the shore of the River Thames. Today, the Tower welcomes millions of people each year, as they seek out famous stories of wing-clipped ravens, colourful Yeoman Warders and the priceless Crown Jewels.

There are several venues with in the Tower and it’s grounds. They can cater for 20 – 2000!!

 

Garfunkels, The Strand, London

Garfunkels-on-the-Strand--400Garfunkel’s is a venue where our Singing Waiters have performed. This Garfunkel’s can be found right in the middle of the Strand and is a 2 minute walk from London Opera House and The Adelphi and Savoy Theatres. With outdoor seating you can enjoy  the hustle and bustle of The Strand and watch taxis driving on the right as they turn into the famous Savoy Hotel.

 

Marriott Hotel, Regents Park, London

marriott-regents-park-400The London Marriott Hotel Regents Park, conveniently located north of London in an area ideal for both business and leisure travellers. Our hotel’s setting in Swiss Cottage provides the perfect base from which to explore the city for families, friends and solo travellers. Bond Street is just 3 stops from Swiss Cottage Underground station on the Jubilee line, so you can be shopping, sightseeing and taking in one of London’s world-renowned West End shows in less than 15 minutes. In addition, the lively markets of Camden Town, Primrose Hill with its chic shops, quaint cafés and panoramic views across London, and ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park are all within walking distance of this North London hotel. Guests enjoy spacious rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi in all public areas and access to our well-equipped on-site leisure club with indoor swimming pool.

Beautiful Venues of Bath

Bath-Venues

Having entertained at some wonderful venues around the UK, this month we have chosen some beautiful venues of Bath to highlight.

Frances Hotel

frances-hotelThis unique and distinctive hotel occupies seven of the original 18th Century townhouses that make up the south side of the centrally located and sought-after address of Queen Square in Bath. Queen Square is the first element in the most important architectural sequence in Bath, which also includes the King’s Circus and the Royal Crescent.

Built between 1728 and 1736, Queen Square was designed by John Wood the Elder (1704-54) who set out to provide an architectural masterpiece for the chic members of society “to assemble together”. The hotel’s seven townhouses are now seamlessly interconnected to house 98 luxurious bedrooms, all individually styled, with many of the Feature Rooms offering four-poster beds and glorious views over the eternally fashionable city of Bath.

Bath Pavilions

bath-pavilionBath Pavilion is a stunning sandstone building that was first opened on 17 September 1910 as The County Skating Rink, when a roller skating craze was sweeping the nation.

Bath City Council bought the building in 1930 and on 28 November the venue was re-opened as a concert hall named The Pavilion by the Mayor of Bath, Alderman Sturge-Cotterell. It has had a wide range of uses in its time – from being an assembly point for aircraft wings during the second world war to holding a civil wedding today.

The Pavilion as a multi-use leisure venue plays host to a large range of events including concerts, exhibitions, dances and corporate, charity and private functions for up to 1,400 people.

The Pavilion is a great venue for music concerts and some of the great names that have played on the stage include Led Zepellin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Adam Faith, the Rolling Stones and Little Richard.

In more recent years the Pavilion has played host to Oasis, Blur, Beautiful South, Levellers, Doves, Streets, Starsailor, The Coral, Supergrass, Jimmy Carr and Lily Allen, to name but a few.

Garfunkels

Garfunkel's-Bath-400

Situated on Orange Grove with views of both Bath Abbey and Pulteneny Bridge, we can be found within the beautiful grade II listed building, The Empire. Built in 1901 by Bath City Architect Major Charles Edward Davis, The Empire is a landmark building in Bath and stands proud in the heart of the city. 

This is a great restaurant for groups and private events; it can seat up to 170 guests.