In a nostalgic revival, the crime-solving pair of Detectives John Moore and Steven Hodgeson are set to return to the stage in “The Red Brassiere,” playing at the Shadowbox Theatre in Windsor, Ontario, from September 20-22, 2024. The beloved characters, who starred in a series of seven plays that captivated audiences with their blend of mystery, comedy, and drama, have been absent from the theater scene for nearly two decades.
Actor and writer Joey Ouellette, the mastermind behind the Red Detective series, decided to resurrect the dynamic duo as a fundraiser for Post Productions’ (Up)Staged Series. “It was exciting to dust off the Red Detectives. I had so much fun doing them,” Ouellette said.
Joining Ouellette on stage will be Mary Grace Weir, who is set to portray John Moore and seven other characters. In a unique twist, each actor will take on the role of one detective while also embodying all 14 other characters in the show, ranging from police commissioners to petty criminals. “It’s a bit of a roller coaster,” Ouellette admitted. “As actors, we’re constantly flowing from one character into another, with no time in between. It has to be smooth and seamless so it doesn’t distract from the plot of the mystery.”
The Red Detectives are firmly rooted in an era before the dominance of technology, where computers and filing cabinets coexisted, and obtaining information was a tedious process. The world has changed significantly in the past 20 years, and the play aims to transport audiences back to a simpler time.
In a playful nod to the long-standing cliché of police officers and their love for donuts, the production team has decided to embrace the stereotype and offer the sweet treats during intermission. “Let’s sell donuts at intermission,” Weir suggested with a laugh, adding that it would help the audience get into the spirit of the play.
Ouellette confirmed that Detective Hodgeson’s affinity for donuts remains intact, acknowledging that both detectives have their own ways of coping with the trauma of their experiences.
The revival of “The Red Brassiere” comes on the heels of the recently completed filming of (Up)Staged, an eight-episode mockumentary-style comedy series about the trials and tribulations of Post Productions, the beleaguered independent regional theatre company that operates The Shadowbox Theatre. The series, which has been in development since 2021, aims to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the world of independent regional theatre, showcasing the bizarre characters, absurd situations, and determined attempts to create something out of nothing that the public rarely gets to see.
(Up)Staged is a passion project for the artists involved, who are striving to create an entertaining and engaging series while also addressing the challenges faced by artists in a region that often undervalues their work. By paying the cast and crew a more appropriate fee, the series hopes to provide a much-needed boost to the local arts community.
Tickets for the Friday, September 20 performance of “The Red Brassiere” are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, while tickets for the Saturday and Sunday shows are priced at $25. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards supporting the (Up)Staged series, which pays actors and crew a living wage.
With a delectable mystery, plenty of laughs, and the promise of donuts, “The Red Brassiere” is set to be a treat for theater-goers when it takes the stage at the Shadowbox Theatre this September.
