Touring murder mystery dinner show

Guests buying combined tickets, plus companies, clubs and groups booking private shows for parties, fundraisers and team events.

Either a share of the combined ticket price agreed with the venue, or a flat fee per private booking. Holiday-season and winter bookings are often the busiest.

• Acting or directing
• Script writing or adapting
• Organising and promoting events
• Working with venue owners

• Commercial general liability insurance, and check what the venue's own policy covers
• Who holds the liquor licence and food permit: normally the venue, so confirm this in your agreement
• Copyright on scripts and music, and whether you need a SOCAN or Re:Sound licence for music played
• Check provincial and municipal rules on room capacity, and French-language requirements if you operate in Quebec
• Paying cast members properly: check whether they would be employees or contractors in your province
• Winter weather can cancel shows, so plan refund and rescheduling terms

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your script, cast, costumes and props. The host venue supplies the room and the food, so those are not usually part of your setup.

Monthly revenue estimates typically run around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many shows you book and how ticket sales are split with the venue. Winter weather can cancel shows, so plan refund and rescheduling terms.

Check who holds the liquor licence and food permit, normally the venue, and confirm this in your agreement. Also check insurance, music licensing such as SOCAN or Re:Sound, provincial and municipal capacity rules, and whether cast would be employees or contractors in your province.