An immersive evening of mystery, theatre, and fine dining took over Kuching’s historic Round Tower 1886, as the Delphic Arts and Culture Association Malaysia staged WHODUNIT — a captivating dinner theatre experience that left guests guessing between courses.
Serving Up Drama and Dessert in Kuching’s Historic Round Tower
In a city where every corner whispers stories of the past, an unforgettable evening unfolded at one of Kuching’s most storied landmarks, the Round Tower 1886. In a brilliant fusion of culinary elegance and immersive theatre, the Delphic Arts and Culture Association Malaysia (Persatuan Delphic Seni dan Kebudayaan Malaysia) hosted WHODUNIT — a first-of-its-kind dinner theatre event that seamlessly wove heritage, mystery, and gastronomy under one captivating roof.
Guests were warmly welcomed by Victoria Fong, President of the association, whose opening remarks celebrated the union of the performing and culinary arts. Her promise of a night where “art meets appetite” was more than fulfilled.
But this was no ordinary dinner.
Set within the enigmatic walls of the historic Round Tower, WHODUNIT marked the debut of Delphic’s immersive theatrical dining experience: an elegant crime mystery play unfolding over a refined four-course meal. Built in 1886 following a fire that devastated Kuching’s Carpenter Street and Main Bazaar, the Round Tower provided a suitably atmospheric backdrop for an evening of intrigue.
Long believed to have been constructed for military defence, the tower was instead opened as Kuching’s Public Dispensary before later serving as a Labour Office, Court Registry, and the headquarters of the Sarawak Craft Council. Today, it has been revitalised as a café and restaurant — a living museum where culture meets cuisine.
As guests settled into their seats, drama erupted. Just before Victoria Fong’s historical introduction, sirens wailed. Local poet and visual artist Angelina Bong — Delphic’s director of Literary Arts — rushed in with whispered urgency: a staff member had reportedly been found unconscious in the storeroom and taken to hospital. Was this real or part of the performance? The lines between fiction and reality had already begun to blur.
Enter Detective Shallot Holmes, hilariously portrayed by actor, visual artist and Delphic secretary-general Gerald Goh. Sporting a drawn-on moustache, retro attire and theatrical flair, Goh interrogated both the Round Tower staff and unsuspecting guests, who soon realised they were not merely diners — but suspects in a cleverly crafted whodunit.
Throughout the evening, clues appeared on screen in pre-recorded videos featuring kitchen crew, waitstaff, a barwoman and a suspicious floor manager — all behaving oddly in the days leading up to the mysterious incident. Each guest was drawn into the unfolding plot, decoding clues and swapping theories between courses.
The evening’s culinary journey was curated by Marian Chin, founder of WhatMatters — a company specialising in indigenous canned foods — and publisher of Kino magazine. Chin, who also serves as Delphic’s Director for Culinary Art under the Social Arts discipline, took her role a step further by appearing in character as the enigmatic Floor Manager. Dressed in polka dots, fishnet stockings and a convincing wig, she was so well disguised that few recognised her.
Each dish was seamlessly paired with a plot twist.
The appetiser — skewered chicken with zucchini, capsicum and onion drizzled in sesame sauce — was served just as news of “an incident” broke.
A comforting watercress cream soup followed during the scene titled What’s the Fuss?
The main course — guests chose between grilled lamb or salmon — arrived just as the “culprits” were dramatically brought in.
But the highlight of the menu was dessert: a chocolate éclair filled with cream and topped with a fresh cherry, accompanied by a real medical syringe filled with cherry sauce. Guests gleefully “injected” the faux-blood sauce into their éclair — a theatrical and playful finale.
So — whodunit?
“Well,” teased the Delphic team with a wink, “you’ll have to ask those who were there.”
As the mystery wrapped and laughter lingered, one thing was certain: WHODUNIT was more than just a dinner — it was a masterclass in experiential storytelling.
And yes, they promise, another unforgettable evening is already in the works.
About the Delphic Arts and Culture Association Malaysia
The Delphic Arts and Culture Association Malaysia (Persatuan Delphic Seni dan Kebudayaan Malaysia) was officially registered on October 30, 2024, representing a unifying cultural initiative across nine states: Sarawak, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor, Melaka, Perak, and Kelantan.
Headquartered in Kuching, Sarawak, the association is led by President Victoria Fong and Secretary-General Gerald Goh — both long-time advocates of the global Delphic movement. Their involvement dates back to 2005, during the 2nd International Delphic Games held in Kuching, where Fong served as director of the Fashion and Textiles Show, and Goh participated in the Visual Arts category.
Their commitment continued at the 3rd International Delphic Games on Jeju Island in 2009, joined by fellow Sarawakians: poet Angelina Bong and sculptor Robert Yong.
In September 2023, following the Delphic Summit in Kolkata, India, Fong and Goh were entrusted with the mission of formally establishing Delphic Malaysia — a national platform dedicated to promoting cultural exchange, social arts, and interdisciplinary creativity.
The association is a non-sectarian and non-governmental organisation, with Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching City South (MBKS), serving as its advisor. Wee played a pivotal role in supporting the second International Delphic Games in 2005 during his tenure as president of the Sarawak Tourism Federation.
