Mind-reading detective Dirk Darrow is back, after sold-out runs at Fringe World from 2015-2022, in '2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick’.
This show, presented by mastermind Tim Motley, is one of the only in the world which incorporates magic effects into a show about anything other than magic. It's part stand-up, part mentalism, part magic, and part storytelling.
“Not only is this the world’s only one-man film noir comedy magical mind-reading murder mystery, it’s fun to do!” Tim Motley says. “There’s a lot of improv in this particular show, which keeps me interested. It’s one reason this is the show I’ve performed the most, so it’s generally quite run in and slick, if also silly and a bit naughty.”
'2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick' is certainly a crowd favourite, taking home seven Fringe Festival Awards including 'Best Of Fest: Patron's Pick' at Edmonton Fringe in 2015. It parodies an obscure novella by Dashiell Hammett, and features more explosions, more murders, and more knuckle-busting sleight of hand.
“The audience are great in Perth,” Tim says of the upcoming Fringe World run. “I think they’re just happy we came all that way.”
Image - Tim Motley (@detectivedarrow) on Instagram
Tim says word of mouth has been powerful, particularly for his Perth audiences. He's also presenting a satire of a popular fictional wizard, with 'Barry Potter And The Magic Of Wizardry'.
“[Fringe World] was one of the first festivals to give me sold out runs of shows, back in 2012. Year after year, they keep coming back, and they do seem to gossip,” Tim explains. “Often before my show starts, I’ll ask how the audience decided on the show, and year after year, audience after audience, the consistent majority say they heard about it from someone they know. That really isn’t the case at other festivals around the world.”
“And I love the colourful and seedy underbelly of nightlife in Northbridge, the heart of the festival. You can really imagine a down-on-his-luck film noir detective working there. If Dirk Darrow ever wants to find a dark alley that’s recently seen a dead body, he doesn’t have to go far!”
'2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick' plays Brass Monkey Upstairs 19-21 January, and Brass Monkey Downstairs (Fringe World Perth) 29 January-4 February.
