man down – devizine.com

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

The Rondo Theatre in Bath will be bursting with high-energy chaos this June as The Rondo Theatre Company presents Bullshot Crummond, a gloriously silly parody of 1930s adventure stories, all in aid of Man Down…..

Running from Wednesday 17th to Saturday 20th June 2026, this fast-paced comedy follows the dashing (and deeply ridiculous) hero Bullshot Crummond as he races to thwart the evil Otto Van Brunno and his beautiful but deadly accomplice Lenya, who have kidnapped a Professor for their own nefarious ends. What follows is a whirlwind of outrageous antics, quick-fire costume changes and theatrical mayhem.

A loving send-up of stiff-upper-lip heroics, the production leans into the exaggerated tropes of a bygone era, think Indiana Jones meets The 39 Steps with a dash of Blackadder. Audiences can expect car chases, sword fights, swooning heroines, hapless henchmen and deliciously over-the-top villains, all delivered at breakneck speed and firmly tongue-in-cheek.

Bullshot Crummond began life as a stage comedy in the 1970s before being adapted into the 1983 cult film Bullshot. A loving parody of early pulp-fiction heroes, it has built a loyal following for its gleeful satire of classic British adventure stories.

But beneath the farce, the choice of charity brings a more thoughtful edge. By pairing this parody of hyper-masculine heroics with support for Man Down, a charity dedicated to improving men’s mental health through peer support and community, the production gently pokes fun at outdated ideas of masculinity while supporting vital, real-world conversations.

“We wanted to do something that was pure fun, a real escape, this is what the world needs right now” says director Charlotte Howard. “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.”

Audiences are actively encouraged to join in the spirit of the show, with dressing up very much part of the experience. Whether it’s 1930s glamour, daring adventurers or dastardly villains, the more flamboyant the better.

Our local electronica hero Moray McDonald, aka, Cephid is on sound design for this, The Rondo Theatre Company’s annual charity production, known for its lively, inventive shows and strong local support.

Bullshot Crummond runs from 17th June to Saturday 20th June 2026. Tickets: £13/ £15 (booking fees apply.)

Trending…..

Pride Where Pride is Needed

Pride month finds me wondering if Pride events are actually needed more in our smaller market towns where awareness and acceptance is perhaps lesser than…

Jun 2, 2026Jun 2, 2026