KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Interactive play at SIBF 2025 turned the audience into detectives.
  • The story unfolds in a traditional Emirati majlis reimagined as a crime scene.
  • The central figure is Marwan, a café-chain owner, with family and close associates among the suspects.
  • Led by a sharp female Inspector, viewers interrogated suspects and debated motives.
  • Written by Bhoomika Ghaghada and directed by central with a student cast.

Murder at the Majlis took over the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025) with a live mystery that put the audience in charge. Set inside a traditional majlis, the production blended cultural detail with a tense whodunnit, asking visitors to sift clues, question suspects and vote on the culprit.  

What is ‘Murder at the Majlis’?

An interactive stage play that reimagines a familiar Emirati gathering space as the scene of a crime. It balances suspense with a clear nod to local customs.

  • Takes place inside a traditional majlis.
  • Centres on a murder during a private gathering.
  • Mixes cultural heritage with contemporary theatre.  

The production reframes the majlis, typically a space for hospitality and dialogue, as a setting for suspicion and hard questions. That contrast gives the show its edge and keeps the focus on people, relationships and social dynamics.  

The suspects and the setup

At the heart is Marwan, 57, who owns The Nine café chain and hosts the private majlis. His family and close circle form the web of potential suspects.  

  • Marwan’s wife, Khadija, 51
  • Son Hamdan, 29
  • Daughter Shaima, 27
  • Abdullah, 54, longtime friend and business partner
  • Akhil, 30, a baker with close family ties to Marwan  

By keeping the cast tight and the motives close to home, the show leans into family tension, money and loyalty. The majlis becomes a pressure cooker where every comment, glance and history shared might be the key to the truth.  

You are the detective

Audience members weren’t just watching; they were part of the investigation.

  • Analysed clues placed across the story
  • Interrogated suspects during the performance
  • Debated motives before voting on the verdict  

This format keeps attention high and makes each show feel personal. When viewers interrogate suspects and argue over theories, the outcome feels earned. It’s theatre that teaches logic and discussion skills without turning into a lecture.  

The lead investigator

Running the show is the Inspector, a 45-year-old woman who pushes the plot forward and calls out weak alibis.

  • Sharp, determined and no-nonsense
  • Constantly tests each suspect’s story
  • Keeps the audience chasing the truth until the end  

Her presence anchors the chaos. With a firm tone and methodical approach, she gives the audience a model for how to think, not just what to think, as the case unfolds.  

Who made it happen

The script and production come from the region’s creative talent, with a full student cast bringing energy to the stage.

  • Written by Bhoomika Ghaghada (American University of Sharjah alumna)
  • Directed by Tarun Shyam
  • Cast: Habiba Abdulmohsen, Maryam Al Banna, Yazan Al Kathemi, Hour Al Maamzi, Layal Al Mukhtar, Akshay Kumar, Leopold Lessig, Omar Matar, Shadi Wassif  

The team leans on a clean script, focused direction and confident performances. Together, they deliver a show that feels both educational and entertaining, without talking down to the audience.  

FAQs

What is ‘Murder at the Majlis’?

An interactive murder mystery staged at SIBF 2025 that turns a traditional majlis into the crime scene and invites the audience to solve the case.

How does the audience take part?

Viewers examine clues, question the suspects and debate motives before delivering a verdict on who, how and why.

Who are the main characters?

The circle includes Marwan, his family (Khadija, Hamdan, Shaima), Abdullah the business partner and Akhil the baker, with a female Inspector leading the investigation.

Who is behind the production?

Written by Bhoomika Ghaghada and directed by Tarun Shyam, with a student cast named above.

Why does the setting matter?

The majlis is traditionally a space for hospitality and dialogue; using it as a crime scene heightens the drama and opens up questions about trust, family and community. 

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