Review: A SHODDY DETECTIVE & THE ART OF DECEPTION (UK Tour)
Created by Mitch Donaldson and Becky Bartram – who also star in the show – A SHODDY DECTECTIVE & THE ART OF DECEPTION is a fast-paced slapstick whodunnit, that will keep you guessing and giggling until the very end.
As all mystery aficionados know, there are few better settings for a classic detective drama than a large countryside manor, and that is precisely where A SHODDY DECTECTIVE & THE ART OF DECEPTION takes place. Louie Whitemore’s small but well-populated set eases us into the familiar territory of the manor house’s drawing room, with its plush armchairs, panelled walls, rotary telephone and a large tabletop radio.
We are invited into Lord and Lady Raeburn’s grand home as they plan to auction off their most priceless painting. But alas! The painting has mysteriously vanished. The wealthy couple are forced to call upon Detective Stu Pidcock to solve the crime. Played by Neil Jennings, Pidcock is shown to be a hapless and incompetent detective, who soon finds himself stumped with no leads on the investigation.
Things go from bad to worse as his supervisor arrives, and informs Pidcock that he is to be assisted on this case by his arch nemesis Dusty Wills, the criminal mastermind who had previously stumped him on numerous occasions. Wesley Griffiths plays Dusty and serves as a fantastically debonair foil to Jennings’ bumbling detective. Griffiths plays the role with a confident swagger and effortless charm, making him instantly likeable to the audience, but less so to his new partner.
Rounding out the cast of four are Mitch Donaldson and Becky Bartram, who portray a plethora of outlandish household staff and pretentious house guests. They whirl through some impressively speedy costume changes, and a myriad of accents (some better than others!) which they kept mostly steady. A particular highlight was a cheeky routine as father-and-son gardeners, which had the audience in stitches.
Jennings’ and Griffiths’ unlikely duo work as a team, piecing clues together and interrogating witnesses. There are energetic fights and chase scenes that put us in mind of Scooby Doo, as maids go falling out of windows, and people jump out from behind curtains. It is an entertaining romp, filled with silly slapstick humour and flagrant innuendo.
Even though A SHODDY DECTECTIVE & THE ART OF DECEPTION is a parody at its heart, it is filled with more than enough substance to keep the plot interesting. There are some twists and turns that we didn’t see coming, and although you’ll get no spoilers from us Besties, we will say that the story ends with a satisfying conclusion.
Ultimately, the show is a thoroughly entertaining detective caper, and a great example of its genre. All of the jokes, even the most clichéd, were met with laughter throughout, and it was clear that everyone in attendance was having a thoroughly good night out. Case closed, besties, it is safe to say that this clever farce is anything but shoddy!
A SHODDY DECTECTIVE & THE ART OF DECEPTION is touring the UK until 5 July.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by Kirstie Ewer