Lady Thistledown’s Poisoned Quill

Lady Thistledown’s Poisoned Quill

Written by R. Aaron Thompson

Produced by Jerri Wiseman

Directed by Betsy Hansen

The dashing young bachelor Lord Henry, Duke of Cavendish, has just returned home from the war abroad. In his honor, the Dowager Lady Worthington is having a dinner party. All the unmarried young ladies of the ton are in attendance. They all hope to catch the Duke’s eye and they won’t let a little thing like the Murder of Lord Fairfax get in the way. But what of the cryptic messages left by the gossip monger Lady Thistledown? Scandal after scandal is revealed as the list of suspects grows ever longer. Can anyone weather Lady Thistledown’s Poisoned Quill?

All guests are encouraged to dress up for the mystery, if you are so inclined. You’ll be attending a Regency-era gala, similar to those held on television shows Bridgerton and Downton Abbey.

Performances will take place at local venues, wineries, and breweries in March – May.

March 7, 8 & 9 – StageCoach Theatre – in the black box for the first time in 5 years! Includes a Sunday matinee!

March 14 – Creek’s Edge Winery in Lovettsville

March 21 – Effingham Manor Winery in Nokesville

March 22, April 5, May 31 – Oatlands in Leesburg

March 26 – Bunnyman Brewing in Lorton

March 29 – ONO Offshore in Chantilly

April 17 – Private performance

April 27 – C’est Bon by Savoir Fare in Round Hill

May 3 – Kalero Winery in Purcellville

May 10 – Casanel Winery in Leesburg

May ? – Ahso Restaurant in Brambleton

June 1 – Hillsborough Winery in Hillsboro

More venues to be announced. Reservation links will be posted soon.

Note

ALL MURDER MYSTERIES ARE WHAT WE WOULD RATE AS PG13. THERE IS USUALLY SEXUAL INNUENDO, MILD SWEAR WORDS, AND, OF COURSE, MURDER. IT IS UP TO YOU AS A PARENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WILL BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND A PERFORMANCE. SOME VENUES MAY HAVE AGE RESTRICTIONS.

March 7, 8, and 9 at StageCoach Theatre Black Box (with dinner)

StageCoach Theatre, 20937 Ashburn Road, Suites 115 and 120, Ashburn, VA 20147
Friday and Saturday: Doors and dinner buffet start at 6:30pm. Show at 7:15pm. Please arrive at 6:30pm.
Sunday: Doors and lunch buffet start at 1:30pm. Show at 2:15pm. Please arrive at 1:30pm.
Tickets: $80 + sales tax + ticketing fee
Includes the show, catered dinner and dessert by Pure Perfection Catering. (Menu: Mixed Greens Salad with Cucumber and Tomato with a White Wine Vinaigrette Dressing. Chicken Wellington with Mushroom Truffle Sauce. Shepherd’s Pie. Grilled Mixed Vegetables. Garlic and Herb Rice Pilaf. Rolls with Butter. Assorted Miniature Pastries and Desserts. Coffee and Iced Tea Station.) Beer, wine, and canned sodas will be available for separate purchase.

March 14 at Creek’s Edge Winery in Lovettsville (with dinner)

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville, VA 20180

Doors open at 6:00pm. Dinner buffet starts at 6:30pm inside the winery. This is also when audience roles are handed out. The show will begin at 7:15pm.

Tickets: $75 per person includes the show, dinner buffet, coffee, and dessert = total $81.88/person

Dress Code: Guests are encouraged to don Regency-era attire, with prizes awarded for the best costumes!

The theatre’s interactive performance will be preceded by an English dinner, perfectly paired with a glass of Creek’s Edge award-winning wine. The dinner includes:

  • Set finger sandwiches
  • Buffet of Sunday Roast, Herbed Salmon, Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Yorkshire Pudding, Peas & Carrots, Cucumber Salad
  • Dessert selections to include English Trifle, Scottish Shortbread, Sticky Toffee Pudding, complemented by tea (and coffee for the Yankees).

March 20 at Effingham Manor Winery in Nokesville (with dinner)

Effingham Manor Winery, 14325 Trotters Ridge Pl, Nokesville, VA 20181

Doors will open no earlier than 6:30pm. Dinner buffet starts at 6:30pm. The show will begin at 7:15pm. Please arrive at 6:30pm.

Tickets: $xx per person + fees includes the show and catered buffet dinner by xx. Tickets will include a welcome glass of wine and dinner. Additional wine will be available for purchase. [Menu: coming soon]

Vegetarian Entrée and Gluten Free Dessert can be requested with ADVANCED NOTICE ONLY (no later than xx.) To inquire more information, please email [email protected]

March 22, April 5, May 31 at Oatlands in Leesburg (with dinner)

Oatlands, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA 20175
Doors and dinner buffet start at 6:30pm. Show at 7:15pm. Please arrive at 6:30pm.
Early Bird Tickets – until February 28 or when Early Bird tickets are sold out: $75 + sales tax + ticketing fee
Tickets starting March 1: $80 + sales tax +  ticketing fee
Includes the show, catered dinner and dessert by Pure Perfection Catering. (Menu: Mixed Greens Salad with Cucumber and Tomato with a White Wine Vinaigrette Dressing. Chicken Wellington with Mushroom Truffle Sauce. Shepherd’s Pie. Grilled Mixed Vegetables. Garlic and Herb Rice Pilaf. Rolls with Butter. Assorted Miniature Pastries and Desserts. Coffee and Iced Tea Station.) Beer, wine, and canned sodas will be available for separate purchase.

March 26 at Bunnyman Brewing in Lorton

Bunnyman Brewing, 9514 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079
6:30pm Doors open
7:15pm Show starts
Tickets: $xx per person + sales tax + ticketing fee includes the show, catered dinner and dessert. [Menu: Coming soon.]  Beverages will be available for separate purchase.

March 29 at ONO Offshore in Chantilly (with dinner)

ONO Offshore, 4515 Daly Drive, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
5:30pm Doors and Beverage Tabs open
6:00pm Dinner starts
6:45pm Show starts
Break for dessert. Show resumes after dessert.
Tickets: $57 per person + sales tax + ticketing fee includes the show, catered dinner and dessert by Odd BBQ. [Menu: Choice of smoked pulled pork or smoked chicken thighs and bun. Assemble your own sandwich with choice of BBQ sauce. (A Beyond Brat will be available for those who select a Vegetarian/Vegan Meal.) Macaroni and cheese. Grilled Vegetables. Baked Beans. Brownie or Blondie for dessert.]
Beverages are not included in the ticket price. Guests will be able to open a tab for the self-serve beer wall with 4 craft beer options from Ono Brewing Company. There will also be hard seltzer available for purchase in addition to assorted sodas, tea, and bottled water.

April 27 at C’est Bon by Savoir Fare in Round Hill (with dinner)

C’est Bon by Savoir Fare, 6 W Loudoun Street, Round Hill, VA 20141

Doors and dinner buffet start at 5:30pm. Show at 6:15pm. Please arrive at 5:30pm.
Tickets: $85 per person, plus ticketing fee and 6% sales tax, which includes the show, catered dinner and dessert. Gratuity not included. [Menu: Mixed Green Floral Berry Salad. Orange and Thyme Roasted Chicken. Salmon Fillet in Herb Butter. Garlic Parmesan Fingerling Potatoes. Roasted Tri Colored Carrots. Rolls and Butter. Scone with Strawberries and Cream.] Full bar will be available for separate purchase.

May 3 at Kalero Winery in Purcellville (with dinner)

Kalero Vineyard, 36140 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville, VA 20132

Doors and dinner buffet start at 6:30pm. Show at 7:15pm. Please arrive at 6:30pm.

Tickets: $75 per person includes the show, catered dinner and dessert by Between the Hills Catering. (Menu: Western Loudoun Salad. Lemon Ricotta Orecchiette Pasta. Chicken Scallopini with a Tomato Caper Cream Sauce. Assorted Desserts.) Wine will be available for separate purchase. Please contact the winery with any dietary restrictions at [email protected].

May 10 at Casanel Winery in Leesburg (with dinner)

Casanel Winery, 17956 Canby Road, Leesburg, VA 20175
Doors and dinner buffet start at 6:30pm. Show at 7:15pm. Please arrive at 6:30pm.
Tickets starting March 1: $80 + sales tax +  ticketing fee / Wine Club Members $75 + sales tax + ticketing fee (contact Casanel for Promo Code)
Includes the show, catered dinner and dessert by Pure Perfection Catering. (Menu: Mixed Greens Salad with Cucumber and Tomato with a White Wine Vinaigrette Dressing. Chicken Wellington with Mushroom Truffle Sauce. Shepherd’s Pie. Grilled Mixed Vegetables. Garlic and Herb Rice Pilaf. Rolls with Butter. Assorted Miniature Pastries and Desserts. Coffee and Iced Tea Station.) Beer, wine, and canned sodas will be available for separate purchase.

June 1 – Hillsborough Winery, Brewery & Vineyard (dinner purchased separately)

Hillsborough Winery, Brewery & Vineyard, 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA 20132

Please arrive at 5:00pm to order dinner.  The Show starts at 5:30pm.

Tickets: $35 per person (+ ticketing fee) for the show/ Ruby Club members are $30 per person.

Estate wines, craft beers, and food from Bora’s Brick Oven are available for separate purchase.

“Lady Thistledown’s Poisoned Quill” is available for private bookings for groups of 30 people or more. Please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 571-477-9444 to discuss this and other entertainment options for your group.