Originally reviewed March 2022 for Theatre People.
The city…New York, New York.
The year…unknown.
The mystery….The Case of the Spiky Turtle.
Welcome to Improvised Noir, presented as part of the The Big HOO-HAA! Melbourne’s Saturday Experiment, and to a world of glamour, crime, passion – all improvised!
Taking several suggestions from the audience including “The Case of the Sneaky Snake” or “The Case of Dirty Clothes”, six members of The Big HOO-HAA! team explored the seedy underworld of New York as they attempted to solve “The Case of the Spiky Turtle”.
Detective McAllister, both the star and the narrator, constantly breaking the 4th wall, gets wrapped up in the world of the wealthy Dobell’s as Edward Dobell Jnr is looking for his missing sister Maggie.
Along along the way we meet Sister Mary Fitzpatrick, Hal – The Prince of the Lucky Duck Casino, Edward Dobell Snr and Benedict The Mayor.
But what do they have to do with the disappearance of Maggie Dobell? Who or what is the spiky turtle?
Well if I was to tell you this that would be revealing the plot!
What I can tell you Is that it was a highly entertaining hour indeed. Isabella Valette, who played detective McAllister, anchored the said with cool aplomb, mystery, grace and all of the delft improve skills needed to carry a one-hour show.
Supported by five of the regular Big HOO-HAA! cast members who played various characters throughout the show the hour was entertaining, funny, curious and overall very well done.
I’m even tempted to go back for the next two Saturday night Experiment shows to see what mystery The Big HOO-HAA! team attached with solving next and perhaps to see if any of our characters make a return appearance.
And of course, any visit to The Butterfly Club is always fun. It’s one of the most unique venues in Melbourne and will always recommend a show to be seen there.
B at The Bows 