A comedy murder mystery from the team behind Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is coming to Oxford for one night this October, combining a two-hour interactive show with dinner at Hawkwell House Hotel.
At a glance
| Show | Sheer Luck Holmes: The Case of the Floating Fiancée |
| When | Wednesday 14 October 2026 |
| Arrival | From 7pm |
| Show begins | 7.30pm |
| Running time | Approximately two hours |
| Where | Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel, Church Way, Iffley Village, Oxford, OX4 4DZ |
| Tickets | £56 per person |
| Included | Interactive comedy murder mystery and two-course dinner |
| Age guidance | Current ticketing guidance says all ages, with under-16s accompanied by an adult |
| Booking | Book through the official Oxford ticket page |
Oxford diners are being invited to put their powers of deduction to the test when Sheer Luck Holmes: The Case of the Floating Fiancée arrives at Hawkwell House Hotel.
The one-night event blends immersive theatre, murder mystery, physical comedy and dinner, with actors performing around the tables as guests attempt to identify a killer.
Created by Kat Mary Productions in collaboration with Interactive Theatre International, the company behind Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the production comes to Iffley Village on Wednesday 14 October.
Doors open at 7pm, with the two-hour show beginning at 7.30pm. The current organiser listing says the £56 ticket includes a two-course dinner.
What is Sheer Luck Holmes about?
The mystery centres on wealthy young heiress Miss Tessa Lowe, who has been found dead on the eve of her wedding.
Holmes, Watson and Mrs Hudson attempt to reconstruct the case for the assembled diners, but the investigation does not proceed with the efficiency expected of the world’s most famous detective.
Watson and Mrs Hudson are not accomplished actors, leaving Holmes to contend with forgotten cues, uncertain accents, costume changes, theatrical mishaps and characters who may not behave as planned.
Guests will encounter a collection of possible suspects, including a jealous cousin, an unfaithful groom, an embittered housekeeper and a love-struck suitor.
As the evening develops, diners will be encouraged to follow the clues, question what they have seen, compare theories with their table and decide who they believe committed the murder.
The emphasis is as much on farce and improvisation as it is on solving the case. The production draws on physical comedy, exaggerated characters and the possibility that audience interaction may send a scene in an unexpected direction.
How does the immersive dinner show work?
This is not a conventional theatre performance in which the audience remains separated from the actors by a stage.
The action unfolds around the dining room and continues while the meal is served. Holmes, Watson and Mrs Hudson move among the tables, reveal evidence and invite guests to become part of the investigation.
Audiences do not need any previous knowledge of Sherlock Holmes, and there is no expectation that guests should arrive in costume or prepare material in advance.
However, the event is designed to be interactive. Anyone booking should be comfortable with actors approaching tables, asking questions and responding to audience suggestions.
The current organiser listing says the Oxford ticket includes a two-course dinner. The precise menu and allergen information have not yet been published.
The live ticketing system currently provides separate chicken and vegetarian dinner categories. Anyone requiring vegan, gluten-free or other dietary provision should contact the organiser before booking rather than assuming an alternative can be provided on the night.
Before booking
| Meal | The current organiser listing says a two-course dinner is included |
| Menu choices | Chicken and vegetarian ticket categories are currently listed |
| Other dietary needs | Contact the organiser before buying, as vegan, allergy-safe and gluten-free arrangements are not yet published |
| Drinks | Not stated as included; Hawkwell House has bar facilities and operates a cashless policy |
| Audience participation | The show is fully interactive, with performers moving among the tables |
| Event enquiries | 020 3700 3138 or customerservice@imagination-workshop.com |
Who is in the cast?
| Performer | Role |
|---|---|
| Jonathon Saunders | Holmes |
| Rafe Moon | Watson |
| Kat Mary | Mrs Hudson |
The three principal performers lead a production built around multi-roling, improvisation and physical comedy.
Kat Mary wrote and created the show and is Artistic Director of Kat Mary Productions, a company specialising in interactive theatre where audiences become active participants.
She is also a long-standing performer with Interactive Theatre International and has played Sybil in Faulty Towers The Dining Experience.
Kat said the aim was to combine the familiarity of Sherlock Holmes with the unpredictability of an immersive comedy.
She said: “I wanted to combine my love of immersive theatre, audience interaction and classic British comedy to create something that feels both familiar and completely unexpected.
“This isn’t your standard murder mystery evening. It’s a fully-fledged comedy show packed with theatrical chaos, larger-than-life characters and plenty of opportunities for audiences to get involved.”
A family connection to Sherlock Holmes
The production also has a personal connection with the history of Sherlock Holmes on stage.
Kat Mary’s great-grandfather was playwright J.E. Harold Terry, who co-wrote The Return of Sherlock Holmes with Arthur Rose.
The play opened at London’s Prince’s Theatre in October 1923, following a preview in Cardiff, and ran for 130 performances.
It starred Eille Norwood, one of the best-known early screen and stage interpreters of Holmes, with H.G. Stoker as Dr Watson.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attended a performance and publicly praised Terry and Rose, describing them as the “parents” of the stage work while presenting himself as its grandfather.
Kat said that family history made Sherlock Holmes a natural subject when she began creating her own comedy mystery.
From the company behind Faulty Towers The Dining Experience
Sheer Luck Holmes is being presented in collaboration with Interactive Theatre International.
The company is best known for Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the long-running immersive comedy inspired by the atmosphere and characters of the classic television sitcom.
That production has been performed internationally, combining improvised comedy with a meal served while the action unfolds around the audience.
Executive producer Jared Harford said Sheer Luck Holmes was intended to create the same sense that diners had entered the world of the show.
He said: “From the moment you sit down, you are part of the story.
“There is nothing quite like the energy in the room when an audience is fully invested in the chaos happening around them.”
How to get to Hawkwell House Hotel
Planning your visit
| Venue | Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel |
| Address | Church Way, Iffley Village, Oxford, OX4 4DZ |
| Date | Wednesday 14 October 2026 |
| Arrival | From 7pm |
| Start | 7.30pm |
| Expected finish | Approximately 9.30pm |
| By car | Complimentary on-site parking is available, subject to capacity |
| By bus | Services 3 and 3A serve Iffley Turn, a short walk from the hotel. Check live evening and return times before travelling. |
| Accessibility | The hotel lists wheelchair-accessible facilities and parking. Contact the organiser before booking about specific seating or access requirements. |
| Payments at the hotel | Hawkwell House operates a cashless policy in its bars, restaurant and function rooms |
| Hotel telephone | 01865 749988 |
| Tickets | Book the Oxford performance |
Hawkwell House is in Iffley Village, around two miles from central Oxford.
Guests using public transport should allow time for the walk between Iffley Turn and the hotel and check the final return bus after the expected 9.30pm finish.
Drivers can use the hotel’s complimentary car park, although spaces may be limited during a sold-out event. Anyone planning to drink should arrange a designated driver, taxi or other return transport.
October tour dates
| Date | Venue | Location | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 13 October | Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa | Chatham | £58 |
| Wednesday 14 October | Hawkwell House Hotel | Oxford | £56 |
| Thursday 15 October | Birmingham Council House | Birmingham | From £56 |
| Friday 16 October | Birmingham Council House | Birmingham | From £56 |
| Saturday 17 October | DoubleTree by Hilton | Stoke-on-Trent | From £58 |
Further performances are listed through Kat Mary Productions’ current tour page.
FAQs
When is Sheer Luck Holmes in Oxford?
The show comes to Hawkwell House Hotel on Wednesday 14 October 2026. Guests can arrive from 7pm and the performance begins at 7.30pm.
How long is the show?
The interactive performance lasts approximately two hours and is expected to finish at around 9.30pm.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are currently listed at £56 per person. Check the live checkout for any additional ticketing charges.
Does the ticket include dinner?
Yes. The current organiser listing says the Oxford ticket includes a two-course dinner and the two-hour interactive show.
Is it a two-course or three-course dinner?
The supplied press release and some secondary listings say three courses, but the current Interactive Theatre International listing for Oxford says two courses. Confirm the final arrangement with the organiser if the meal format is important to your booking.
Are vegetarian meals available?
The booking system currently offers chicken and vegetarian dinner ticket categories. Other dietary requirements should be discussed with the organiser before buying.
Is the show suitable for children?
Current ticketing guidance describes it as suitable for all ages, with anyone under 16 accompanied by an adult. Parents should consider the evening timing, murder-mystery theme and interactive format.
Will audience members have to take part?
The show is designed as an interactive experience, with actors performing around the tables and guests helping to solve the case. Contact the organiser before booking if you have concerns about direct audience interaction.
Is Hawkwell House wheelchair accessible?
The hotel lists accessible facilities, an accessible route and accessible parking. Guests should contact the organiser in advance to discuss seating and any individual access requirements.
Is parking available?
Complimentary on-site parking is available at Hawkwell House, subject to capacity.
Where can tickets be booked?
Tickets are available through the official Oxford booking page.
