New Circus Comedy Show From Dummies Corp
Perth FRINGE WORLD, January 14 – February 13
Australia’s prolific, internationally acclaimed circus comedy troupe, Dummies Corp, brings a daringly delightful new spectacle for adults: Dumtectives in Cirque Noir.
Is there anything more deliciously fun than a noir-esque circus comedy show, inside a Spiegeltent? Devilishly naughty and wickedly wild, Dumtectives in Cirque Noir weaves acrobatic feats through an outrageous, slapstick whodunnit murder mystery, served with a side of saucy tricks.
Starring (and co-created by) the multi award-winning, acrobatically-agile and comedically gifted performers Amy Nightingale-Olsen, Thomas McDonald, Leigh Rhodes and David Splatt, this brand spanking new extravaganza will play The Pleasure Garden’s Lotterywest De Parel Spiegeltent from 14 January – 13 February as part of Perth FRINGE WORLD.
The show will go on to tour to Adelaide and Melbourne from February-April.
Set in a by-gone era of cheap dames and dirty dicks, Dumtectives in Cirque Noir smashes together wow-worthy stunts with guns, fun, and innuendo. Extraordinary clowning, dynamite slapstick and tantalising burlesque come together for a night of entertainment that’s sure to blow out your gun barrel and leave you sensationally sated.
With an original score by multi-instrumentalist Mal Webb (The Adventures of Lano & Woodley), this highly original slapstick feat has had reviewers comparing it to the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.
The Dumtectives are on a mission: uncover the murderer, navigate the seductions of a 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 multi-awarded Dummies Corp founder Jamie Bretman and seven-time Green Room nominee Clare Bartholomew.
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, which premiered at MICF 2021 to wide acclaim.
“We’ve had a scandalous amount of fun dreaming this show up. The Spiegeltent embodies everything that is circus and burlesque, 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 Perth for the first time. 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 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 and 2021, Best Circus Award for Perth Fringe World 2015, Best Kids Show Melbourne Fringe 2017 and Children’s Choice Award at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016.
“Awe-inspiring acrobatics” ⏤ The Age
“Charlie Chaplin-esque slapstick gold” ⏤ Time Out Melbourne
“10/10 – For originality, execution, and pure entertainment. So darned clever” ⏤ Weekend Notes
“…a hilarious, always-spectacular romp featuring three of Australia’s greatest clowns in a show that makes a mockery of Chandler and a hero of Buster Keaton.” ⏤ Theatre Travels
