Dummies Corp presents the ADELAIDE PREMIERE of Détectives in Cirque Noir

Following a hugely successful Melbourne premiere, Australia’s internationally acclaimed circus comedy troupe, Dummies Corp, brings you a daringly delightful new spectacle for adults: Détectives in Cirque Noir.

Set in a by-gone era of cheap dames and dirty tricks, the all-new Détectives in Cirque Noir weaves acrobatic feats and hilarious physical comedy through an outrageous, slapstick whodunnit murder mystery, served with a dash of burlesque and a side of saucy tricks. This brand spanking new extravaganza will play Gluttony’s Ukiyo from 18 February – 20 March 2022.

Tickets are on sale now via Adelaide Fringe. Starring and co-created by the extraordinarily agile and comedically gifted performers Amy Nightingale-Olsen, Thomas McDonald, and Leigh Rhodes along with internationally renowned puppeteer David Splatt, these Détectives will take audiences on a high-speed adventure dodging villains and solving crimes.

In this homage to noir, the Détectives are on a top-priority mission: uncover the murderer, navigate the seductions of a femme fatale, and avoid bitter betrayal. Outright chaos ensues, with aerial adventures, thrilling car chases and even interrogations of suspicious looking audience members. Détectives in Cirque Noir features an original score by multi-instrumentalist Mal Webb (The Adventures of Lano & Woodley), accompanied by David Splatt using nothing but a hand saw and violin bow. Splatt shot to fame when his unusual skill took him to the grand finale of Australia’s Got Talent, capturing audiences with his dazzling display of weird and wonderful music. He is also one of Australia’s few master marionette puppeteers, having trained with and worked alongside some of Europe’s greatest masters.

This spectacle is co-directed by Dummies Corp founder Jamie Bretman and seven-time Green Room nominee Clare Bartholomew. Since 2012, Jamie has grown Dummies Corp into Australia’s leading producer of circus comedy with consistent touring around Australia and the world, picking up a slew of awards along the way. “We’ve had a scandalous amount of fun dreaming this show up. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing the Détectives to Adelaide for the first time,” 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.