What are the shows like?
Fun! Fun! And more Fun! That’s the best way to put it. All of our dinner theatre shows are intended to be unadulterated, wild comedies. Priding ourselves on our improvisational abilities, we are continually experimenting with new material to make every second of each show a laugh riot! Take a bit of Saturday Night Live; mix it with a tad of Monty Python; and then throw in a helping of the Zucker Brothers (i.e. the movie Airplane!). That concoction of wit is pretty close to our style of humor. The Company has produced over 4500 shows and many of these past productions can be seen on our Past Shows Page. Riddlesbrood also tends to be a bit heavy on the special effects! The Technical Director (or so our sources tell us) seems to have a malicious desire to spend the company out of business with his lighting budget! In summation, you can be sure that each show is an experience you will tell your friends about for years to come!
Our History: As Told By Those Who Were There (Probably)
It is recorded — in sources of middling reliability but tremendous confidence — that in the year 2000, a small band of performers appeared in Collingswood, New Jersey. Where they came from precisely is a matter of some dispute. Certain accounts describe them arriving from the downcountry. Others suggest they simply were there one day, the way weather arrives, or bad news, or a purple wagon at the edge of a market square where no road leads. They had opinions about comedy. They had, crucially, very little else. What followed was less a founding than a congealing — a gradual accretion of costumes, equipment, and a truck acquired through means the official record describes only as "politely." A logo was drawn. A brochure was printed. And thus the Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company was born — a name which students of certain old chronicles will recognize as carrying some significance.
In October of 2000, they mounted their first stage in Collingswood and performed Scrooge: A Comedy! — their opening salvo against boredom, a campaign from which they have never retreated. Within a year they had found their footing at the Showbarn Dinner Theatre in Smithville, NJ, and by July 2001 the company was formally incorporated — a bureaucratic event that, like all such events, felt less heroic than it sounds. September 2001 brought permanent residence at the Showbarn's new location, where Riddlesbrood wrote, cast, and produced everything on stage. They moved again in April 2006 to Historic Burlington City, NJ, and have since settled in Stratford, NJ, from which they continue to tour the greater Philadelphia and New Jersey area with the tireless energy of a company that simply refuses to sit still.
The Guild Mark — their logo — has been on every brochure, banner, and wagon-panel since the beginning. Old legends say such a mark stabilizes the world. Whether or not you believe that, Riddlesbrood has outlasted every venue that tried to hold them. They are, as the banner on the old purple wagon once read: Touring Abroad.
They have not stopped yet.
What the Heck is "Riddlesbrood" Anyway?
The actual name of our company is somewhat of a mystery; however, many believe that it came from the famous (although rather enigmatic) adventurer and snake-oil salesman Clyde P. Riddlesbrood. It has been said that he is the inspiration for the theatre company, but the owner of the company denies and dismisses this as mere whimsy. Every so often Riddlesbrood can be seen at promotional booths, parades and trade shows spreading the latest news about our current and upcoming shows. But then again, we cannot confirm his existence! Would you like more information about this bizarre character Clyde P Riddlesbrood?
Our Mission Statement
"The Riddlesbrood players shall be fanatically dedicated to delighting everyone. We will creep silently into your heart, pitch our tent and, once there, practice our grinning arts. Those who spy our movements shall leave with much inspiration and be filled with uncommon energies to face the drudgery of the days beyond. We, the Riddlesbrood, shall perch dangerously where the laugh justifies the means; for, after all, life may be no laughing matter. But it will be our design to try!" –Clyde P Riddlesbrood.
Want to know even MORE???
Read the 'Greatest Brochure in the World!'
Step right up, folks, and prepare to be amazed! Have you ever heard of the Riddlesbrood, the enigmatic entertainment troupe that has mystified and thrilled audiences since the turn of the century? Well, prepare to have your mind blown as we delve into the mysterious origins of this captivating group. Legend has it that the Riddlesbrood was founded by a band of traveling performers who stumbled upon a secret society of mystics in the depths of a dark and foreboding island. These mystics and ancient aliens, with their esoteric knowledge of the arcane, took the performers under their wing and taught them the secrets of the stagecraft! (Yea, that's what happened.) With their newfound powers, the Riddlesbrood began to put on shows unlike anything the world had ever seen. They dazzled crowds with their feats of magic, their musical prowess, and their unbridled energy. They became the talk of the town, the talk of the nation, and the talk of the world! And now, dear friends, you have the chance to uncover the secrets of the Riddlesbrood for yourself! Learn the ancient arts of stagecraft, unlock the mysteries of magic, and discover the power of performance with the help of this illustrious troupe. So what are you waiting for? Join the Riddlesbrood today and let the adventure begin! Riddlesbrood tells of the days of yore in his FABULOUS BOOK!
What’s in a Logo? The Clues, Codes, and the Legends of Riddlesbrood!
Some logos are just brands—but others are riddles waiting to be solved. Throughout history, symbols have carried hidden meanings, secret messages, and whispers of forgotten lore. Look closely, and you’ll see that the Riddlesbrood emblem is more than a mere design—it’s a cipher, a gateway, a theatrical enigma woven into the very fabric of our troupe. Every curve, every color, every element has a purpose, a story, a legend behind it. But only those with a keen eye will uncover its full meaning. Do you dare to decipher its mysteries? The answer is there, waiting… but secrets have a way of vanishing when left too long in the dark. Learn the truth of our sigil before it slips away forever!
