by Adrian Miller
Great Detectives has been entertaining theatre audiences for 10 years now, recreating the experience of attending a 1950s radio recording of fabulous detective stories. The Clothesline contacted artistic director Benjamin Maio Mackay and began by asking him how long the current cast have been involved.
“Three of the five in our team have been involved since the start! Eden Trebilco and Jennifer Barry have been with me for every iteration, story and tour. It’s an irreplaceable rapport between us at this point. It’s an on and off-stage chemistry that makes the show so enjoyable for us as actors and for audiences to watch.
“For this new year I’m thrilled to be joined by Off-Broadway star Tate Simpson. Tate is one of the most talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with and seeing her bring a new energy and dynamic to the team has been a joy. I think audiences are going to love her as much as I do. We’ve also got a super swing in our team for the first time, Amy Sincock understudies every single role in the show (some 30+ characters!) and I’m so grateful to have her as a part of our group too.”
This is such a great idea it’s no surprise it has been going for 10 years?
“I’m certainly a little surprised! This show has somehow turned out to be one of the longest creative relationships in my life. I certainly never anticipated the response, both critically and audience wise to the idea, material and characters. It’s been a real pleasure as a creative to watch something you feel so passionate about truly take off and find life, time and time again. We’ve told eight mysteries across the last decade, always featuring our two leads Johnny Dollar and Candy Matson and I’m excited to offer brand new mysteries to audiences this year – it’s lovely to watch people come back and watch the show again and again!”
Do you find it appeals mostly to people who can recall radio broadcasts or do younger people get it?
Back at the start of the show’s life our audience certainly skewed towards those who grew up with radio programs, but over time we’ve seen a much younger audience start to come and appreciate the show too. I think the prevalence of podcasts and audiobooks has really brought younger generations back around to audio content and this is a show that celebrates that. I think at this point it’s very 50/50 – we love to welcome people of all ages!”
Are the scripts newly written or adapted from original scripts?
“These are newly written scripts, featuring characters taken from actual 1950s radio dramas. Originally I adapted scripts from the shows themselves, but after doing the show for so long we started to run out of scripts to adapt, so as we approached this new show I decided it was time to branch out – but naturally keep the same tone, levity, language etc.”
How much of the show is improvised?
“I’d say a couple of minutes worth of jokes per performance. Sometimes scenes and jokes land with audiences in ways that our performers then want to expand on and I’m not going to stand in their way! Having a cast of full-time creative professionals means that everyone is so experienced in how to work a crowd that they know when to play and when to bring things back to the script to move the story along.”
How long did it take to put the show together?
“I started working on the scripts towards the middle of last year, after confirming that Eden and Jenny wanted to return, I think I’d struggle to do this without them now. After that I roped Tate into the show and we got incredible new photos, branding and a new website/socials. Essentially, I see this new season as a brand relaunch for a new era of Great Detectives. We had our first read through in October last year and we’ve been rehearsing on and off ever since. We had our tech rehearsal at Ayers House last week and we’re now feeling ready, so it’s been in the works for about 8 months.”
What visual tricks are added in to keep the audience engaged?
“I don’t want to spoil anything in the show, but let’s just say there’s a lot of visual humour and physical gags that definitely add to the magic of the show.”
What do you think people will enjoy most about Great Detectives – All New Mysteries?
“I think firstly, people love a good campy mystery and this certainly provides. I think as well there’s a certain nostalgia about the show and the era of radio dramas that audiences connect to. Ultimately it’s fun, engaging and an escape from the realities of life – which is what theatre does best.”
Where else can people see Great Detectives: All New Mysteries across the year?”
Well, I can excitingly confirm that aside from our Adelaide Fringe dates at Ayers House and Fringe on Tour show in Clare, from August – November this year Great Detectives: All New Mysteries is heading out on a regional tour, playing 10 shows across rural South Australia. We’ve got stops in KI, Mount Gambier, Victor Harbour, Whyalla and many more – we can’t wait to bring this show to communities across the state!”
Is there anything you wish to add to encourage people to come along to see Great Detectives – All New Mysteries?
“I just want to encourage your readers to take the time and support locally made professional arts this Fringe, there’s so many incredible shows and we’d be thrilled to have you at Great Detectives.”
Great Detectives – All New Mysteries performs at St Joseph’s School, Clare, from 2pm on Sat Mar 2 and then at The Ballroom at Ayers House, at various times, from Fri 8 Mar until Sat 16 Mar.
Bookings at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. Tix available .
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