Lead detective (Albert) - Addressing detectives (audience) at entrance:

Alright team, gather ‘round, 

A mystery’s here, and clues abound.

A bakery burnt, a crime so bold,

We must uncover the secrets untold.

Think outside the box, let your minds ignite,

What motives lurk in the shadows of night?

As the detectives (audience) enter the charred remains of the bakery, they are greeted by the faint scent of burnt bread and the eerie silence of a once-bustling establishment. Suddenly, the ghostly figure of Eliza, the bakery's beloved head baker, materializes before them. With a sorrowful expression Eliza knowingly says, “Listen closely, in my pages sweetness and spice intertwine, a treasure of flavors, both yours and mine. Though fire has touched me, my secrets remain. Unlock my wisdom, and you’ll ease the pain. What am I, hidden in a cover so worn, a guide to the treats that once brought joy not scorn.”  

Revealing that her secret recipe book, containing clues to the identity of the arsonist, is hidden within the bakery's ruins. The detectives must piece together the fragments of her memories to uncover the truth and bring justice to her spirit. Along the journey the detectives discover a rival bakery, all signs point to vengeance.

Eliza’s recipe book could have hand written notes, hidden within the recipes, pointing to the guilty rival bakers.

Ash related clues:

A riddle written in ash at the back of the book.

A trail of ash leading from the book to a hidden draw or item confectionery containing clues or answers. "I fall from the sky, gray and light, a sign of a rival's fire that once burned bright. Follow my trail and you may find, the secrets of the blaze that left them behind"

Back story:

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” (The Mourning Bride by William Congreve)

In the heart of Copperwood, 1925, two bakeries stood as rivals: Ashbury and Sons, renowned for their decadent pastries, and Brambulbery Buns, famous for their fruity delights. The competition between them had simmered for years, fueled by jealousy and whispers of betrayal.

Mrs. Bamblebury-Buns, the fierce proprietor of Brambulbery Buns, had long suspected that her husband, Mr. Bamblebury-Buns, was having an affair with Mrs. Ashbury. The tension between the two bakeries had escalated, and one fateful evening, Mrs. Bamblebury-Buns decided it was time to confront the situation.

Under the cover of darkness, she devised a plan that would change everything. As the sun set, she crept into Ashbury and Sons, determined to catch the two in the act. To her horror, she discovered the truth: Mrs. Ashbury and Mr. Bamblebury-Buns were indeed entangled in a secret affair.

Enraged and heartbroken, Mrs. Bamblebury-Buns set the bakery ablaze, trapping Mrs. Ashbury inside. The flames roared to life, consuming the sweet scents of pastries and the whispers of betrayal. As the fire raged, the rivalry turned into a tale of vengeance, leaving the town in shock and forever altering the landscape of their beloved bakeries. The truth of that night would haunt them all, as the ashes of Ashbury and Sons became a grim reminder of the lengths one would go to for love and revenge.

Unopened letter from Mrs Bamblebury buns to Mrs Ashbury:

Dear Mrs Ashbury,

I must admit my heart is heavy with the weight of what I must say. The whispers around town have become impossible to ignore. Talk of scandal in the night is plaguing my mind. 

I urge you to consider the implications of your actions, not just for our families but for the community. Let us meet and clear the air as gossip can ignite a fire more dangerous than any oven.

Signed

A betrayed friend 

(letter written on the bakeries branded paper)

Story 2 - Time Travel

A time travelling pastry chef looking for the perfect recipe, that transcends time. He stumbles across Bramble - Berry Buns and find the ultimate baked good, it’s a classic custard cream. As he steps back into his time machine it malfunctions. Pieces of his machine fly everywhere and baked goods are scattered. The audience must find the extra special baked goods and help reassemble the machine so the chef can return to his own time.

Angry baker reluctantly gives away clues whilst arguing with the time traveller.

Story 3 - Love

In a quaint little town surrounded by rolling hills, Barbra and Bill grew up on neighboring farms. Their paths first crossed at a local fair, where Barbra showcased her delightful pastries, made with fresh ingredients from her family farm. Bill was showing off livestock with his father when he was drawn to the delightful aroma of her treats. Intrigued, he introduced himself to Barbra.

Conversation sparked between them, and Bill revealed his long-held desire to try baking, despite his father's disapproval. Encouraged by Barbra's enthusiasm, they began exchanging recipes and dreams. As their friendship deepened, Bill would sneak over to Barbra's farm under the cover of night, careful to avoid his father's watchful eyes. In her cozy kitchen, they would whip up batches of cookies and cakes, laughter echoing through the quiet night.

They spent countless evenings experimenting in the kitchen, combining their talents to invent the custard cream that soon became their signature biscuit.

It was during the curation of the custard cream that their friendship blossomed into romance.

As the sun set on another magical evening spent in Barbra’s kitchen, Barbra and Bill looked at each other with newfound clarity. They had just realized their combined baking potential was limitless; their unique styles blended together to create the extraordinary. The thought of staying in their small town felt stifling compared to the vibrant possibilities that awaited them in the city.

With excitement bubbling in their hearts, they made a pact. They would leave their farms behind, embrace the unknown, and chase their dreams together. They envisioned a charming bakery filled with the sweet scent of their creations, where they could share their love for baking and each other with the world.

In that moment, Bill took Barbra's hands and said, "Let's get married and open our bakery in the city. We can build a life together, just like we’ve built these recipes." Barbra's heart soared at the thought, and she nodded, her eyes shining with joy. They spent the night planning their escape, dreaming of the life they would create. With their hearts set on a new adventure, they took a leap together into the future together.

Just randomly came across this video of popular 1920s cakes/puddings in the UK.

Might be helpful idk???

Arthur Ashbury

Bill Brambleberry

Beatrice Brambleberry

• “get your light” - hints at the arson

• two girls shown in the picture to represent Mrs brambleberry burns and ashbury

• “Sleepy head”

I think we also could use LED lamps to create a soft but eerie lighting around the small space we have as well as a few for the audience to carry around, to make it more immersive for them (if we can afford it) 👵🏼

• please note any extra clue ideas and/or changes anyone wants to make :)

• The more clues there are - the easier it’ll be for the audience to discover the killer

• Also two roses on the scene as a clue + decor would be nice

• The 1920s floral designs shown above could be small and framed as decorations

As we talked about before, some of us can be photographed as suspects for this list soon :)📸

£2.50 per metre

£20 per metre for floral pattern

Today, the site has been transformed into the Custard Factory, a creative and digital business workspace complex that includes independent shops, cafes, bars, and more

.Creamy pinkish long pleated skirt

.Black slip on pumps

Welcome to our bakery,

Where you will find nothing like fakery,

In the baking world where being creative is a necessity,

Please help us in finding our missing recipe.

ELLIE:

Thank you to my husband for that wonderful introduction,

Let’s hope you can make useful deductions,

In our bakery where there’s no rules,

Take a peek at our decorated walls.

ALBERT:

The bakery where our young love flowered,

And where we’ve spent many the hours,

That’s better than any other,

Focus instead on the colours.

ELIIE:

Things may be more obvious than they seem,

In finding the recipe for the custard cream,

To figure out the clues,

Focus instead on what’s stood in front of you.

Maybe for sound elements, besides our character's scripts, we could use a small hidden speaker and play popular 1920s music and/or radio snippets.

This hidden speaker could be tucked inside a phonograph prop made from recycled materials or the speaker can be hidden in the counters or behind the tent

• opera

• orchestral performances

• vaudeville routines

• musical revues

• could read in newspapers—news, weather, stock market closing prices, farm updates, home management advice, etc., adding such features as bedtime stories for children.

-this was going to be printed with the Mimaki printer however unfortunately the technician fell ill so we weren't able to print this in time.

This can still be done in the future if chosen