Murder is a Drag Wake the Dead with Dandy

Murder is a Drag is a whodunit murder mystery dinner theatre event hosted by Vancouver Mysteries which is a local adventure game company.

NOTE: Sometimes the shows include dinner or brunch, while others are “show-only” with a bar. Inclusions vary by venue and ticket type. All versions are highly recommended.

This article has information about Vancouver Mysteries’ Murder is a Drag theatre shows which take place indoors. The article also includes a brief mention of Vancouver Mysteries’ other games, most of which are adventures that take place in the streets of downtown Vancouver.

To learn more about Murder is a Drag theatre events, see the vancouvermysteries.com website or continue reading below.

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Murder is a Drag Dinner Theatre with Vancouver Mysteries

Vancouver Mysteries also hosts a series of indoor murder-mystery shows called Murder is a Drag. Every show features three suspects and one dazzling detective—performed by drag artists—with songs, clue-collecting, puzzles, and a vote for “whodunit.” Some of these events include dinner or brunch. Others are show-only with bar service.

The scripts for the Murder is a Drag show are written by Tanya Bennett from Vancouver Mysteries and they are real murder mysteries. They involve a number of suspects, family members with lots of personality, and (of course) a murder. Your task is to determine who committed the crime.

Other Games

Outdoor adventure games you can play with Vancouver Mysteries in the streets of downtown Vancouver include Crime in Downtown, Secret Mission, Ghost Patrol and Heroes & Villains. With these games you and your friends get to be detectives, secret agents, ghost hunters or superheroes while you solve scavenger hunt and escape room-style challenges.

In addition to the above outdoor games where you have to run around outside (or at least walk and think quickly), Vancouver Mysteries also hosts other indoor murder-mystery games. One is The Case of the Hotel Detective which you can play at a downtown hotel or in the comfort of your own home (if you live in or close to the City of Vancouver).

For full details about the murder-mystery and outdoor adventure games, see the vancouvermysteries.com website.

Dinner Date With Death Show

Dinner Date With Death is the first chapter in another series of Murder is a Drag shows. Set in a restaurant, this chapter leans into drama and memorable personalities. Clues to solve the murder are hidden in plain sight. Guests can expect humorous one-liners, a lot of chaos, and a search for the murderer.

Visitors are encouraged to dress in smart casual or cocktail attire to match the theme. Some dates pair the show with a set dinner or brunch. Other dates offer a show-only, with a bar available for drinks. You don’t need to see any other chapter first—the story stands on its own.

Upcoming dates for a Dinner Date With Death include Saturday, November 15th, 2025 (dinner show) and Sunday, November 16th, 2025 (brunch show) at The Copper Room, Harrison Hot Springs Resort. On Thursday, December 11th, 2025, there is a show without dinner at the Woodward’s Building, located at 111 West Hastings Street in downtown Vancouver.

Doors usually open one hour before showtime, and what’s included varies by date and ticket. Check Vancouver Mysteries for current details.

For full details about the murder-mystery and outdoor adventure games, see the vancouvermysteries.com website.

Wake the Dead Show

The Wake the Dead chapter unfolds at a funeral for a recently deceased millionaire. Black attire is encouraged for guests attending this show. Guests can expect to meet the dead millionaire’s widow, ex-wife, spoiled son, and business manager, who all have secrets. One of them is the murderer.

Guests collect clues, solve puzzles, and vote for who they think did the murder at the end. Whether you want to play detective or relax and just watch the show unfold, expect laughter, wild performances, and hidden clues. Wake the Dead typically lasts around 90 minutes.

The next show takes place on Friday, November 28th, 2025. This is a show only (no dinner included) taking place at The Woodward’s Building, 111 West Hastings Street. Check Vancouver Mysteries for the latest details and ticket availability.

For full details about the murder-mystery and outdoor adventure games, see the vancouvermysteries.com website.

Rhinestones Are Forever Dinner Theatre

Rhinestones Are Forever is the third chapter in the Murder is a Drag Series. This part is set at a wedding that goes seriously wrong. The wedding vows don’t go quite as planned. Between love triangles, jealousies, and suspenseful twists, it’s up to the audience, who are the wedding guests, to decipher who did what and why. Guests are encouraged to wear wedding guest attire. Expect laughter, glitz, and glamour, along with a murder mystery and plenty of chaos.

Each show runs for approximately 90 minutes, usually with two intermissions. Depending on the venue, tickets may include dinner, brunch, or be just the performance, with drinks available for purchase at the bar.

For full details about the murder-mystery and outdoor adventure games, see the vancouvermysteries.com website.

Murder is a Drag with Vancouver Mysteries — Rhinestones Are Forever at the Water Street Cafe

Tips and Advice

The tips below are good to know before attending a Murder is a Drag show.

TIP #1: Although it is a scripted show, guests can participate in the action. If you’d like to say a line or use an important prop during the show, arrive early and make a request. Of course, for folks who would rather just enjoy the show and not be involved, there’s no need to worry. You won’t be picked on unless you volunteer.

TIP #2: Guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion, although there’s no mandatory dress code to follow.

TIP #3: Depending on how many people attend the show, you might be sitting at tables with family members, friends or strangers. You have the option to solve the mystery on your own, but it’s even more fun to get to know the people around you and work together as a team.

Tips About Other Games

TIP #4: Indoor games you might enjoy playing with Vancouver Mysteries include The Case of the Hotel Detective and The Legend of the Gastown Gold. They are escape room-style games, although you don’t have to escape from anywhere. Similar to the dinner theatre shows, you do have to do detective work, and they also usually involve food.

TIP #5: If you like puzzles, escape rooms, and scavenger hunt-like games, we recommend you also check out Vancouver Mysteries’ outdoor adventure games. Crime in Downtown, Secret Mission, Ghost Patrol and Heroes & Villains are all lots of fun.

TIP #6: If you use the promo code BESTPLACES you can save 10% on each of the above four outdoor adventure games. The discount isn’t valid with the indoor murder-mystery events. It will save you 10%, however, if you want to be a detective, secret agent, ghost hunter or superhero while running around downtown Vancouver solving puzzles and riddles.

Murder is a Drag Video

For an idea of what to expect at a Murder is a Drag show, check out the video below. It shows scenes from when we saw the Rhinestones Are Forever version of the production. Aren’t the actors hilarious! We had such a great time! (Note: The actors vary. Some might be the same when you see the show while others might be different.)

Other Information

For information about all of Vancouver Mysteries’ games, see the official vancouvermysteries.com website or our article about Vancouver Mysteries Adventure Games.

To learn about our experiences with the games, see the following articles:

Other articles that might be of interest include the following: