With book and lyrics by Ian Ferrington and music by Olga Solar, The Detective’s Handbook currently playing at the Hayes Theatre until 7 May 2016 – is a smart, funny musical with a distinctive voice.
It’s Chicago, 1950. A city in the grip of a crime epidemic. Two dead cops have just been discovered. Enter Frank Thompson, a hard-boiled detective who knows just what it takes to get a result. His new partner, Jimmy Hartman, couldn’t be more different. Young, fresh and enthusiastic, who is determined to clean up the mean streets without breaking the rules.
Following the clues, the old dog and the young pup are led into a world of seedy bars and femme fatales. Will the new recruit teach the experienced detective a thing or two about police work? Will officers Hammett and Spade ever clean out the evidence locker? Will the criminal mastermind be discovered? And just who is the mysterious Miss Raines?
“The Detective’s Handbook is an especially exciting show for us to be presenting at Hayes Theatre Co,” said Neil Gooding, Chair Hayes Theatre Co. “Firstly, it is a new, totally original Australian musical, which is fairly rare in itself. Secondly, it is the first fully staged production of a show that has been guided through our New Musicals Australia program.”
The Detective’s Handbook is the result of when a former rapper develops an obsession with the golden age of detective novels. Coupled with a bright and lively jazz score, this new Australian musical is guaranteed to have you laughing out loud as Thompson and Hartman investigate the crime in an hilarious clash of the old guard and the new recruit, determined to do it ‘by the book’.
“It’s a rare honour to be working on a new Australian musical, said Director Jonathan Biggins. “The Hayes is both the ideal laboratory and nursery – musicals are unusual hybrids that need a lot of attention to help them grow! This is a witty, quirky show with a distinctive and unexpected voice and we’ve got a great cast to showcase its potential.”
Director: Jonathan Biggins Starring: Justin Smith, Sheridan Harbridge, Rob Johnson, Lara Mulcahy, Tony Cogin, Christopher Horsey Musical Director: Michael Tyack Choreographer: Christopher Horsey Set & Costume Designer: James Browne Lighting Designer: Sian James-Holland Sound Designer: Jeremy Silver
The Detective’s Handbook
Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point (Sydney)
Season continues to 7 May 2016
Bookings: (02) 8065 7337 or online at: www.hayestheatre.com.au
For more information, visit: www.hayestheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Justin Smith and Rob Johnson star in The Detective’s Handbook – photo by Clare Hawley