Max Pry, Private Eye is a one-act play written and produced by Bendigo playwright, Sarah-Jane Fawcett. Set in Chicago during the early 1940s, the story follows Max Pry, a  detective who aspires to be the greatest Private Investigator (like his heroes, Same Spade and Phillip Marlowe).  There’s only one problem… Max is an terrible detective! In fact, the only case he’s ever solved (discovering the hideout of notorious gangster, Frankie “The Cruncher” Pavlov, in a downtown Laundromat) was purely by accident – even detectives need clean clothes once in a while.  So when Max’s boss gives him an ultimatum that could see him demoted, Max teams up with some equally terrible thugs to stage the bust of his career!

Max Pry, Private Eye is a comedy for all ages.  It is a parody of the Hollywood film noir genre of the 1940s, combining the classic tropes with slapstick comedy and lighthearted fun!

The aim of the production was to to provide access to the performing arts community in Bendigo for people who identify as neurodiverse (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia, and Mental Health Disorders). The program was designed to reduce anxiety and promote creativity by ensuring that participants felt safe, respected, and supported whilst developing performance skills and the confidence to participate in community theatre and arts.