Gumshoe!

GUMSHOE!

A joyfully anarchic noir tribute/parody solo show from Christian Dart, recorded at the New Wimbledon Theatre earlier this year.

Full disclosure, I've seen this show before. I am a fan of Film Noir, so when I spotted this at Brighton Fringe I had to go see it, and I loved it. Christian invited me to review this new recorded version (I was actually supposed to be going in person that night but couldn't make it in the end) so I was delighted to have another opportunity to see it and this time write in more detail about it.

The lovely classic-Hollywood style credits intro is a nice addition to the film, though it does mean missing out on the earliest flourish - Christian is there already in character in the auditorium, greeting, playfully-roasting and welcoming people in to the room. The added giant GUMSHOE! banner at the back of the stage and detective pinboard motif around the sides of the room made for very nice thematic touches too.

The show kicks off and quickly gets up to speed, literally moments in and I can already see how this version is enhanced from the one I saw - the lighting is fantastically dramatic, the extra space gives him a lot more to play with, and the gentle wisps of smoke add some subtle noirish atmosphere. Christian Dart is clearly extremely comfortable with his lovingly observed and finely-crafted writing/co-directing of this show, so from the very start he's able to add changes specific to the setting and riff off the audience impeccably smoothly, his playful charm never falters, even when he's dealing with some of the potential curveballs from the audience members he effortlessly brings in to play.

On that, there is a lot for the audience to get involved with in this show, and as I felt when I was in the room, it's one of the many great aspects of the piece. Within just the first five minutes the audience have played the parts of street birds, a couple of feuding gangsters and even one hesitant but ultimately good spirited unwitting operatic diva.

The show at large is obviously a playful tribute to classic noir, with popular cliches and tropes pastiched brilliantly throughout, and there are also a few detailed nods hidden amongst the text and character names, for those (like me) with a deeper knowledge of the genre to enjoy. But it also has more contemporary stitches sewn in throughout too, with modern music, video games and movies referenced and/or played out to various degrees - this anarchic anachronism just adds to the joy of the piece.

I must mention again the slickness of the technicality on display too, co-director Johanna Dart (Christian's sister) is also at the tech desk and it's very clear the pair have worked hard to get the timings so precise here, with lighting and sound cues timed to perfection. The relatively simple setup of the room's lighting is used to brilliant effect marking scene changes, soliloquys and lightning strikes deftly. The soft jazz undertones and wilder melodic riffs playing throughout are pitched perfectly too, fitting nicely to the scenes and changing pace as often as our titular Gumshoe does.

It's all, very very silly, but that's what makes it so much fun. It's easy to get swept right up into this rollercoaster of quips and quotes, where whatever happens the show moves forward. Christian takes absolutely everything in his stride - even a misbehaving mic pack, which he doesn't really need anyway - and has the whole audience in his hand for the ride. Further proven by the level to which some of them choose to get involved - a particularly good boy, for example. As mentioned earlier, there is a lot for the audience to do throughout the show, and it really adds to the immersion of the relatively simple stage craft. Johanna is also a very present part of the show too, with a few really brilliant and hilarious back-and-forths between the stage and the tech box - adding even more fuel to the comedy chaos.

As the story nears its conclusion, though none of us want it to end, the pace and the madness ramps up. The rain scene here is a standout highlight for me, and in what was evidently a very warm space, Christian appreciates it all the more - and then we're into the thrilling denouement where everything is wrapped up in a suitably chaotic connecting of the cleverly concealed dots throughout the story.

It's impossible to experience this hilarious whirlwind without a huge grin on your face throughout, and whether you like noir or not, you are guaranteed to have a great night with Gumshoe.

🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫 / 5

(Appropriately-painted prop guns)

As I write, this show has a few more performances booked in - Soho Theatre on 7th / 8th November, and the lovely Museum of Comedy on 23rd / 24th January. I implore you to go see this, it's a chaotic comedy shotgun to the face at point blank, but you won't regret standing in front of the barrel.

Soho Theatre tickets | Museum of Comedy tickets

I was given access to watch the recorded version of this show in exchange for my honest opinions.