An outrageous blend of music, mayhem, and murder, the Hayes Theatre Co presents the Australian premiere of Murder for Two – a witty parody of classic murder mysteries, for a limited season from 4 August 2023.
Directed by Hayes’ Co-Artistic Director Richard Carroll (Calamity Jane, Once, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Murder for Two features two of Australia’s leading musical comedians Gabbi Bolt (Sydney Comedy Festival, Spicks and Specs, Ratatouille; the TikTok Musical) and Maverick Newman (The Comedy of Errors, Chandler Bing in Friends! The Musical Parody). Filling out the team is the super talented Sam Marques (Metamorphoses, Aspects of Love) who jumps into the role of swing on the show.
With a book by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, lyrics by Kellen Blair, music by Joe Kinosian, Murder for Two is a musical comedy to die for. Officer Marcus Moscowicz (Gabbi Bolt) is a small-town policeman with dreams of making it to detective. One fateful night, shots ring out at the surprise birthday party of Great American Novelist Arthur Whitney, and the writer is killed… fatally.
With the nearest detective an hour away, Marcus jumps at the chance to prove his sleuthing skills, with the help of his silent partner, Lou. But whodunit? Maverick Newman plays an array of quirky suspects who will leave you wondering – did Dahlia Whitney, Arthur’s scene-stealing wife, give him a big finish?
Is Barrette Lewis, the prima ballerina, the prime suspect? Did Dr Griff, the overly friendly psychiatrist, make a frenemy? Marcus has only a short amount of time to find the killer and make his name before the real detective arrives… and the ice cream melts.
“From the moment I first saw this brilliant, inventive and hilarious show, I knew Australian audiences would lap it up,” said director Richard Carroll. “I’m so thrilled we’re able to present the Australian premiere of Murder For Two in its natural home, the Hayes Theatre.”
“With the success of titles like Knives Out and Poker Face, murder-mystery stories are everywhere at the moment – but you’ve never really seen one like this before. The show is a jaw-dropping vehicle for two incredible piano-playing actor-comedians, and Gabbi Bolt and Maverick Newman are the two geniuses that this show needs.”
“They sing, they dance, they play multiple roles and classical piano – and they will keep you in stitches for the entire show,” says Carroll.
“Ingenious! A snazzy double-act that spins out a comic mystery animated by funny, deftly turned songs.” – New York Times
Director: Richard Carroll | Featuring: Gabbi Bolt, Maverick Newman, Sam Marques | Musical Supervisor: Damon Wade | Choreographer: Shannon Burns | Set & Costume Designer: Keerthi Subramanyam | Lighting Designer: Priyanka Martin | Sound Designer: Daniel Herten | Stage Manager: Jessie Byrne | Rehearsal Stage Manager: Alexis Worthing | Directorial Assistant: Tiffany Wong | Production Manager: Abbey Pace | Production Assistant: Kaylee Ashton | Dialect Coach: Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Murder for Two
Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Season: 4 August – 3 September 2023
Information and Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au
Image: Gabbi Bolt and Maverick Newman star in Murder for Two – courtesy of the Hayes Theatre Co.