"There'll be a lot characters the audience will recognise from New Zealand politics, like the Kim Dotcom and John Banks affair, the Greens and the Conservative Party."
Harlequin has been hosting Murder Mystery nights for six years. The audience sits down for a meal and the actors present a scenario in which a cast member is disposed of in an often hilarious fashion.
The audience has to guess who the murderer is, following clues from the actors.
At this year's dinner, Mr Mabey, Linda Voice and Mike Eckford play the three political candidates: the "big money guy" from the More For Everyone, But Especially Me party, the enraged feminist and the old-fashioned conservative.
There's also a journalist "with the dirt on everyone" (Marilyn Bouzaid), the wealthy financial backer (Pat McKenna), the "jealous and bitter" First Lady (Cathy Mabey) and the "annoying" lobbyist and political blogger (Phil Wishnowsky), who tries to "find holes in everyone's policies".
"Then it all comes out that we're all having affairs and have illegitimate children," said Mr Mabey.
"We've gone for the style of Blackadder or Yes, Minister - with the silly names, the risque humour and taking the mickey out of public figures. It's a lot of fun."
The acting is improvised, with the cast holding just a few meetings to discuss the characters and storyline: "With some of these guys, we don't know what the hell they're going to say on the night - which definitely keeps things interesting."
Mr Mabey has been involved with several Murder Mystery dinners at Harlequin, and said past themes had included a summer barbecue, a wedding, a choir practice and a wine tasting.
Harlequin's Murder Mystery dinner, "Meet the Candidates", will be held on Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11, in the foyer of Harlequin Theatre, beginning at 6.30pm.
Tickets are $45 - including a meal, dessert and coffee - and can be purchased via www.dashtickets.co.nz
