by Ian Diddams
images by Josie Mae-Ross
If you have been fortunate enough to have experienced the four hander parody version of “The 39 Steps”, “North By Northwest” in similar vein, Michael Palin’s “Ripping Yarns”, “The Comic Strip Presents”, and the likes of the vaguely straight but ridiculously over the top “Dick Barton – Special Agent”, as well as the rah-rah, gung ho exploits of “Biggles” and “Sexton Blake” then there is one show that is a must see coming to the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall very soon.
*Trigger warning – This play contains scenes of utter stupidity.
And if you have never enjoyed such slapstick daftness crossed with ridiculously ardent patriotism, then its about time you jolly well did Sir/Madam! (delete as appropriate)!
(stands back, raises an eyebrow and sucks on pipe, whilst wearing a velvet smoking jacket and silk pajamas).
The evil Otto Van Brunno and the dastardly Lenya are up to no good. Having kidnapped a Professor for their nefarious purposes, it’s up to the dashing Bullshot Crummond to save the day! A riotous parody of 1930s adventure stories and stiff-upper-lip heroics, The Rondo Theatre Company presents Bullshot Crummond by Ron House and Diz White- a fast-paced, gloriously silly send-up of British pulp fiction. Expect moustaches, maniacal villains, damsels in distress, and a lot of quick changes — all delivered with a wink and a perfectly polished accent. Think Indiana Jones meets The 39 Steps meets Blackadder, but with even less sense and a lot more fun. Come and see “toxic masculinity”, femme fatale spies, henchmen, stupid policemen, mobsters, evil foreign johnnies, incredible and seamless special effects, a car chase, a falcon, a deadly tarantula and a phenomenal sword fight, all in under two hours and see if you can spot the multi role acting as masters of disguise bamboozle each other and the audience. Is there no beginning to their talents?
And overall and most importantly, where BRITAIN triumphs over those dashed HUN!!! (leans back, hands on hips, raised eyebrow, smoking a pipe)
The production’s proceeds will help support “Man Down”, a local male mental health charity; Charlotte Howard, director of this magnificent piece of lunacy provided her rationale for choosing this play and this charitable support :
“I’ve loved the film ever since my friend, Milly, introduced it to me 18 years ago and I was thrilled to discover there was a play five years ago. I love how it takes me to a gentle nudge at blind nationalism and the patriarchy!” She went on to add why this play in particular – “Because this is the puerile unadulterated, childish comedy that this world needs right now. It’s worth the ticket price alone to watch Matt Nation as Bullshot wrestle a giant spider. We wanted to do something that was pure fun, a real escape; Bullshot Crummond is completely ridiculous, and that’s exactly the point. But by linking it with Man Down, we’re also acknowledging that some of those old ideas about what it means to ‘be a man’ still linger. If we can make people laugh and support a brilliant cause at the same time, we hope that feels like a good balance.”
“Bullshot Crummond” is performed at the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall 17th-20th June. Tickets for this brilliantly funny production can be purchased here https://www.ticketsource.com/rondotheatre/bullshot-crummond/e-loqmyj
devizine.com 