Two tales of murder and intrigue come alive in a new edition of The Great Detectives. Local talent Jennifer Barry, Tate Simpson, Benjamin Maio Mackay and Eden Trebilco star in this unique live-action comedy noir, presented by The Lot Theatre and Preachrs Productions.
Drawing inspiration from radio shows, classic films and serialized detective stories of the 1950s, The Great Detectives is a swinging tribute to the novel storytelling of the era, delivered in the style of a live radio play. Our four actors inhabit multiple characters across the two stories, armed with only a stack of paper in their hands as props. They make use of their subtle changes of behaviour and inflection to effortlessly shift between roles. Their Mid-Atlantic accents are impressively varied, making one feel transported to the warm streets of California or the rough and tumble districts of New Jersey.
The stories are guided by clever, quick-witted dialogue and some delightful renditions of classic archetypes of the genre. Candy Matson is a bubbly dame with a can-do attitude and a thriving curiosity, uncovering a mysterious cult with her trusted companion Rembrandt. Meanwhile, Johnny Dollar is a perpetually broke but strong-willed PI untangling the mystery of a strange scientist and his heat-seeking missile research. Highly animated and eccentric, the light-hearted tomfoolery of these characters brings plentiful laughs and easy endearment. It’s hard not to fall for this gallery of misfits and their hilarious hijinks.
The beautiful ballroom in Ayers House adds elegance and a period-appropriate background to the play. The stage is sparsely furnished, but the quartet makes the most of it with their well-honed theatrics and over-the-top dramatizations. A backup soundtrack of mellow jazz helps with the immersive tone, and some well-timed sound effects aid the more comical moments.
Brief moments when the actors break character are quite amusing and serve to elevate the comedy of the scene rather than detract from it. A sign of a skilled cast that responds quickly and astutely to the demands of their fellow performers.
The Great Detectives is blessed with a talented cast with charming chemistry, and the whimsicality of their character acting adds to a very fun classic murder caper experience. If you're familiar with classic mystery fiction, you may likely predict the ending, but you’ll love the journey to get there.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS ****1/2
Reviewed by Justine Hall