Christopher M. Walsh

playwright & performer

Christopher M. Walsh

The City & The City

Sci-Fi Murder Mystery

2 acts – 120 minutes
4 women, 7 men

Adapted from the novel by China Miéville

In a place where seeing what is right in front of you can be a serious crime, Inspector Tyador Borlú of the Besźel Extreme Crime Squad must solve the mystery of a young woman’s murder. His investigation will bring him face to face with the fringe groups who simmer with hatred for each other beneath the surface of Besźel and her sister city, Ul Qoma, all the while risking retribution from the secretive entity that maintains the border between the two.

“FOUR STARS… Several fans of the book have asked me with incredulity in recent weeks how it could possibly work onstage; the answer is, pretty impressively. … An enjoyable potboiler with a unique twist, The City & The City is a great place to visit.” – Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago

“While the narrative may seem confusing at first look, it comes together beautifully for a dramatic and satisfying climax. It might take an act to get used to the characters and concepts, but once you do, you’ll find yourself immersed in a tale that will satisfy both mystery and science fiction buffs.” – Samantha Nelson, Stage and Cinema

“Bringing this cross-hatched manhunt to the stage was initially the work of adapter Christopher M. Walsh, who has distilled — or perhaps the word is processed — Miéville’s novel with a sure sense of cohesion amid the froth of complexities and the punctuation of surprises. It’s fun just watching this ball of yarn play out.” – Lawrence B. Johnson, Chicago on the Aisle