Go Sleuthing in Norwich
Family learn the shocking truth behind the mystery in Basingstoke – Left to right Rose Blake 12, Jake Blake 5, Danny Blake 38, Andrew Gibson 30

Would-be detectives have an exciting opportunity to turn sleuths for the day when a brilliant gaming experience returns to the city.

Once again, Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) have teamed-up with Casebook Events – which brought The Mystery of the Star-Eaters last year. Now its star character Detective Inspector Ranney is on his way back!

A demanding boss, enough unsolved cases to fill an aircraft hangar, and now Norwich is on alert as a dark threat is prowling the streets. Once again Detective Inspector Ranney is not having a good day…

Have you got what it takes? Do you feel like testing your powers of deduction? Fancy pitting your wits against an evil force linked to one of Norwich’s own, local author Anna Sewell? Could you solve a centuries old mystery and save an innocent person in the bargain?

Detective Inspector Ranney needs YOU!

After two hugely successful previous games in Norwich with over 500 players attending, Norwich BID are once again presenting this truly immersive gaming experience for would-be detectives and adventurers.

As part of an initiative to increase footfall in the Cathedral Quarter and give players of all ages a great day out in the city, they’ll be turning the streets into a life-size game board.  Casefile: Appearance of the Obeli, invites players to take on the role of ‘consulting detective’ in a spine-tingling thriller that will test their wits to the very limits. This is gaming on a grand scale.

Stefan Gurney, Norwich BID Executive Director, comments, “Finding fun and different ways to spend the day with friends and family can be a challenge. Last year’s Casefile game made a real change from the usual kind of event and people really responded to that. Like last time we’ve got a fabulous line-up of locations taking part, players will all find at least one of our hidden local gems that they didn’t know about before.’

“It’s really exciting that this time the game includes one of Norwich’s great heroes, Anna Sewell. I describe the game as a giant Agatha Christie play only the whole of the city centre is the stage and you are Miss Marple!”

Go Sleuthing in Norwich
Intrepid sleuths study last year’s casefile in Norwich city centre- Left to right Eve Mahoney 17- Will Lubbock 18- Laura Nazmdeh 27- Caroline Bidewell 31

Players will be asked to examine the casefile, hunt down clues, question real live witnesses and solve ingenious puzzles. The amateur sleuths will be taken on a journey of discovery around the historic Tombland area as they investigate a mystery that would test even the great Mr Holmes.

The game is best enjoyed when played in teams of 2-6. While the main investigation takes approximately 2-3 hours, the event will be running continuously throughout the day so players can stop and start whenever they choose, even taking time out for lunch and shopping! With a dedicated children’s trail running alongside the main game, this ‘Casefile’ mystery makes for a day of unique entertainment for all ages.

Head puzzle-master Stephen Blackwell says, ‘This time we’ve upped the ante, adding more actors, more puzzles and some little ‘missions’ that players need to complete as they go.”

“Casefile gets players using their body and brain in equal measures, and having a lot of fun along the way. Norwich, with its great mix of heritage buildings and independent businesses, really is the perfect location for our games.”

Touring nationally, the game, which has been featured by BBC Radio, the Metro and in VisitEngland’s influential blog, are transforming towns and cities up and down the country, returning to where it all began in Norwich on Saturday March 24th.

Grab your magnifying glass, the game is afoot…

Ticket prices are £12 for Adults with accompanied under 12 year-olds are free and there are also discounted team tickets available at £50 for six players.

Tickets can be bought in advance online at www.bit.do/NorwichObeli

The game starts in the centre of town and runs from 10am with the final detectives going out at 12pm.

It takes 2-3 hours to complete and a maximum of 500 adult players to avoid crowding.

The game is not ‘linear’ so the players will visit locations in a different order, avoiding congestion.

There is no time limit, although the final location closes at 4pm and players are encouraged to spend the day, grab a coffee or lunch and explore the centre.

Casebook Events have now run the game in twelve locations with more planned next year.

About Norwich BID

Established in November 2012, the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) is run for local businesses by local businesses.  It is a simple, tried and tested way of increasing economic prosperity for companies of all sizes through collaboration.  The BID covers a defined area of Norwich where businesses plan how to improve their trading environment, identifying additional projects and services that develop the city centre and trade. Norwich BID is a not for profit company limited by guarantee funded by a levy on its member businesses.