Our aims are:
To present fully participatory, challenging, unique, affordable, highly stimulating and thought provoking interactive experiences.
To value ability over experience and support emerging artists by providing opportunities to those seeking to ‘have a go’.
To include people from all backgrounds and to uphold a strict anti discrimination policy.
WhoDunnit Events caters to the following markets:
The first IMMI was created in 2003 by Vanessa B Baylen, in response to a desire to create an artwork which people would pore over for hours rather than glance at. Inspired by works such as Graeme Base’s “The Eleventh Hour”, and urged on by peers and mentors, the first IMMI quickly took shape as a visual art installation named “Evidence”.
“Evidence” was a successful first incarnation, but also proved intimidating for first time detectives. Reworking the idea gave way to the current incarnation where actors features throughout. The second IMMI (and first to feature actors), “Ambition”, was found to be immensely more interactive, complicated, and enjoyable for all.
Since then, Vanessa has included an ever increasing number of other artists and varied mediums in her projects. She has also been commission to create brand new works, and rework existing pieces for corporate formats. One notable event, “Death By Chocolate: an interactive murder mystery with chocolate tasting”, has enjoyed multiple sell out seasons, an award, and multiple international presentations. It was also rewritten for each season, with new characters and plot.
In 2008, the production company was rebranded from IMMI HQ to WhoDunnit Events. As for what’s happening now – why not take a look at our News page, or look up what events are On Now or Coming Soon in your locale.
Vanessa is the founder of WhoDunnit Events, who invented the genre of interactive murder mystery investigations.
She is at the head of every project: imagining the plots and characters, designing all content and clues, writing briefs, selecting a team, directing the cast, getting hands dirty in or overseeing all clue production, organising the administrative, PR, and financial aspects, as well as covering ticketing and documentation. From conception through to completion, she has a finger in every pie, and for many productions she undertook every role herself.
Canadian-born dual citizen, Vanessa has called Australia home for over ten years. She has a creative arts qualification, and a variety of non-murder experiences, from directing at Melbourne’s Arts Centre, to an acting scholarship, film making, exhibited visual artist, novelist, musician manager, considerable customer service and ticketing expertise, and teaching yoga to four-year-olds. Vanessa enjoys spending her rare spare time with her cat, dog, family and friends.
You are likely to spy Vanessa at a performance in the guise of “External Examiner”.
” … a delectable enigma … “
WhoDunnit Events creates interactive experiences and IMMIs. Our events are fully interactive, commonly immersive, and you can participate as much or little as you like. We create experiences which, like puzzles, are truly challenging and designed to exercise your grey matter. Events always include a splash of fun.
IMMI stands for Interactive Murder Mystery Investigation. An IMMI is a fusion of theatre, art, puzzle game, and story. IMMIs are a new genre of art-entertainment which WhoDunnit Events specialise in.
Please refer to THIS DIAGRAM for a quick rundown on the steps, or read the summary below:
1) Hear about an event and purchase a ticket
2) Read through the instructions which come with your ticket to participate in a pre-performance mini online experience (where applicable)
3) Attend the live event…
…a) receive a briefing on the crime, suspects, and setting
…b) decide how to manage your time between interviewing suspects, sifting through evidence, and swapping notes with fellow detectives
…c) participate in the debrief where all discoveries are revealed
…d) make a group accusation and preliminary arrest
…e) receive secret information to continue the case online
4) After the event, login to the secret website where all detectives receive additional clues, ask further questions, and crack the case
5) Finally, watch the pro’s grill each suspect for a full confession
Our events are not traditional, passive theatre events, but fully active experiences. In terms of what you do, it’s not dissimilar to mingling at a cocktail party. We do not dictate what will happen, and we don’t force you to do anything. Our suspects (actors) react directly to what you ask, and hence you dictate how (and how much) the story unfolds. The purpose of our events is to exercise and challenge grey matter in new and exciting ways. However, if you desire to “watch”, you are welcome to follow another detective around the room while they interact with the puzzles and people. We would hope that you would become inspired to join in after your cold feet have melted.
No. All crimes, backgrounds and sub-stories are set for the whole season. Everything is there waiting for you to uncover. We must do it this way or else it would be impossible to solve.
As with any real life investigation, it takes time for all the information to come to light. Thankfully, unlike real world crime, there is a solution to our puzzles and you will know the full and complete truth in due course. Refer to “How does it work?” for a clearer idea of when this will be.
It depends on the child. Some of our best detectives have been 8-16, however the content of suspects’ secrets is unquestionably adult. We would recommend that mature minded individuals attend our events, regardless of their age.
Yes, to an extent. Most of our events offer a combination of tactile clues, and conversation-based suspects, so there should be something for everyone. Where there are access requirements, we are keen to assist where possible – please get in touch beforehand.
Solving one of our puzzles always takes more time than expected. We recommend you schedule your first visit early in the season so you have the chance to come again and pick up where you left off (if need be).
Absolutely. Simply get in touch via our Contact page and someone will be in touch with you shortly. It’s up to you if you want an existing, adapted, or brand new event created for you.
