| From the prolific, internationally acclaimed Dummies Corp comes a killer new circus comedy for adults, Dumtectives in Cirque Noir. Lacing Circus into the genre of ‘Film Noir,’ the world premiere show takes noir’s murder mystery tradition and flips it on its head with a slapstick kick. Set in a by-gone era of cheap dames and dirty dicks, Dumtectives in Cirque Noir smashes together devilish, wow-worthy stunts with guns, fun, and innuendo. It’s got all the 1940s whodunnit cheek of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, with an MA15+ rating. Starring the multi-award-winning, acrobatically agile, and comedically gifted performers Amy Nightingale-Olsen, Thomas McDonald, and Leigh Rhodes, this brand spanking new extravaganza will play The Famous Spiegeltent from 6 – 18 April. Tickets are on sale now via www.artscentremelbourne.com.au If current popular proclivities have anything to say, funny is sexy, and comedy is best served dark. Add extraordinary clowning, dynamite slapstick, and tantalizing burlesque and you’ve got a night of entertainment that’s sure to blow out your gun barrel and leave your pants moist. The Dumtectives are on a mission: uncover the murderer, navigate the seductions of a (marionette) femme fatale, and avoid bitter betrayal. Outright chaos ensues, with aerial adventures, knife juggling, thrilling car chases, and even interrogations of suspicious-looking audience members. The wildly funny, uproarious spectacle is co-directed by Dummies Corp founder Jamie Bretman and seven-time Green Room nominee Clare Bartholomew, who has directed Dummies Corp shows to great acclaim. Clare has directed, performed, and taught clowns since the 2000s, while her cabaret comedy act Otto & Astrid – Die Roten Punkte has toured internationally no less than 23 times, as the main support act for Amanda Palmer, to London’s Soho Theatre and to Sydney Festival. Since 2012, Jamie has grown Dummies Corp into Australia’s leading family circus comedy company, with consistent touring around Australia and the world, picking up a slew of awards along the way. This is the company’s first foray into adult theatre. |
“We’ve had such a scandalous amount of fun dreaming this show-up. The Spiegeltent embodies everything that is Cirque Noir, while still giving us the space to surprise…it’s going to be one wild ride! We couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing the Dumtectives to Melbourne Comedy Festival. I think this kind of tantalising, eye-popping fun might be just what audiences are after,” says Jamie.
Dummies Corp have enjoyed worldwide success with sell-out seasons at Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s Underbelly, as well as touring the USA, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Ireland, and the UK with Trash Test Dummies, Splash Test Dummies and the all-female troupe Don’t Mess with the Dummies. The company has been awarded Best Children’s Presentation at Adelaide Fringe Festival 2015, 2016, 2019, Best Circus Award for Perth Fringe World 2015, Best Kids Show Melbourne Fringe 2017, and Children’s Choice Award at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016.
The Famous Spiegeltent
Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, 3004
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
6 – 18 April 2021
Tues-Thurs 7.00pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 6.30pm
