Gumshoe refers to the quiet rubber-soled shoes worn by detectives on cases, which allows a quiet movement of secrecy and stealth. Christian takes on the role of Gumshoe or “Gummo” as he is known, a New York detective with a questionable accent! He embarks on a new case interacting with an audience member who gives him the name of the victim and the suspect. This changes from show to show dependent on the clues given by the willing participant. We spend the next 70 minutes chasing around New York looking for clues. We hear all about his old detective partner, ‘Orson Green’ and his old lover ‘Andrea Bandrea’.
There are car chases, explosions, and rain. Did I say rain? This show would not be a success without the full participation and good humour of the audience. The boys in ‘Blue’ and the Police feature a few times during the investigation. The story gets more contrived at each turn of events. But somehow Christian brings it all together at the end. All the ad-libbing and points when things go wrong add to the hilarity and fun, our faces hurt from the laughing. The mistiming of gunshots and sound was also very amusing.
Tonight’s show was delivered on one of the warmest evenings this year and it was baking inside. Christian kept his cool despite wearing an overcoat and suit for most of the evening. His respite from the heat was when it rained profusely on a very small stage. I am not sure how he pulled it off in the humidity, tonight, with his long hair and hat accompanying the long tweed coat and suit. He must have been melting inside, but this did not detract from his delivery.
This is a fast paced show and it is a winner; Christian was great at keeping up with the turn of events and remembering lines and names, albeit with a little help from the crowd. The audience are included right from the beginning; being greeted as we enter the seats by Gumshoe himself. This means that we are at ease with Christian and therefore happy to take part throughout. He has developed and written this whole production and created a feel-good show. We all left smiling and happy, it was infectious.
Christian’s sister, Johanna Dart, has been fully involved with the production as a co-director and manager of tech (sound and lighting) as well as designer of the backdrop. All of which have helped to get the show off the ground and add to the ambience and atmosphere.
Christian will be reforming Gumshoe!! at the FUSE Festival in Kingston and touring the new Bad Clowns show Long Live The King and hosting a cabaret in Kingston every month called Bad Clowns; Good Friends. All three of which will be making their way to sunny, sunny Edinburgh for the Fringe.
Reviewer - Penny Curran
On - 21st June 2025
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