Decoder Ring Theatre
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| Decoder Ring Theatre | |
 Decoder Ring Theatre Logo
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| Hosting | Gregg Taylor |
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| Updates | Bi-weekly - Saturdays |
| Debut | August 27, 2005 |
| Genre | Audio theatre Podcast |
| Website | http://www.decoderringtheatre.com/ |
Decoder Ring Theatre is a Toronto based Theatre and Audio Production company that runs an award-nominated podcast of the same name. It consists primarily of two series, The Red Panda Adventures and Black Jack Justice, both of which are done in the style of old-time radio, and alternate in six-episode runs.
Contents |
[edit] History
The group was first formed in 1999 by actor-writer Gregg Taylor for a six part mini-series take on the adventure programs of 1940's radio. (see “Original Red Panda Mini-Series” below). The programs were created as a pilot project for traditional broadcast, and were quite broad and silly in the belief that a comic approach might broaden their commercial potential, but never made it to air. Taylor's next project returned to the theatre, and was also radio-based, leading him to keep using the “Decoder Ring” name. The original “Black Jack Justice” was a one-act farce about a very, very bad day in the life of an old-time detective radio series. The show was a great success at the 2001 Toronto Fringe Festival, and led Taylor to continue under the Decoder Ring Theatre title. The next year the company returned to the Fringe with “Prometheus Unplugged” a comic take on the Promethean legends in which Mankind returns to Prometheus' mountain to inform God that he doesn't exist. Needless to say, God was less than thrilled.
The company was officially incorporated that year, and began a series of comic murder-mysteries to raise revenue for future projects. “Murder Most Deadly”, “Death on the Avon”, “The Case of the Cockeyed Cupid” and so on. It was at this point that the company launched the first version of its website decoderringtheatre.com and included mp3 versions of the almost-forgotten Red Panda mini-series. Soon they were receiving email from all over the world asking for more, and Taylor began the long process of accumulating scripts, equipment and performers for an ongoing Podcast Audio Drama series.
A new, completely re-invented Red Panda continuity was launched as The Red Panda Adventures, losing the parody and playing much straighter to the conventions of old-time radio and comic books. And the eponymous play-within-a-play from Black Jack Justice was revived, with its battling central characters and launched as a sister show. On October 15th, 2005 Decoder Ring Theatre officially left behind the greasepaint and empty chairs of the theatre for the much, much bigger room of the Internet.
In 2006, the podcast was nominated for a Parsec Award for Best Audio Drama (short), specifically for The Red Panda Adventures,[1], and was also one of the final five nominees for the People's Choice Podcast Awards' "Cultural/Arts" category. On August 25, 2006, the first seasons of The Red Panda Adventures, and on September 12, 2006 Black Jack Justice, were made available on separate feeds at Podiobooks.com.[2] In 2007, the podcast was again one of the final nominees for the People's Choice Podcast Awards' "Cultural/Arts" category.
[edit] The Red Panda Adventures
[edit] Current Series
The Red Panda Adventures is a lighthearted adventure series in the style of old time radio that follows the 1930s adventures of "Canada's greatest superhero", the Red Panda and his trusty sidekick, the "fearless fighting female" the Flying Squirrel, as they protect the citizens of Toronto from villains ranging from gangsters and supervillains to the supernatural forces of darkness. The Red Panda himself is a hero in the mystery man mold of the pulp era. His costume is limited to a suit and hat with a bright red domino mask (with Batman-like blank eyes) and matching red gauntlets. He has great skill with unarmed combat styles and uses a variety of devices, mostly of his own devising to fight injustice. These include Static Shoes which use the power of static electricity of cling to sheer surfaces, and to jump great distances when travelling over rooftops. He is also a master of hypnotism, which he uses to extract information, project false images into the minds of others and, when necessary, to erase the memories of others.
[edit] Agents and Allies
- The Flying Squirrel
Katya "Kit" Baxter, sidekick and driver of the Red Panda is head over heels for "The Boss", whose secret identity she discovered on her own, and whom she convinced to let her help. She has a vicious streak when it comes to dealing with criminals. Like the Red Panda, she uses a wide array of crime fighting gizmos including Static Shoes, Grapple Guns and Gas Grenades. But while he would turn to hypnosis for interrogation, she is more likely to use her fists, which she does with great glee. Her squirrel suit allows her to glide short distances and perform amazing feats of acrobatic derring-do. The relationship between the two heroes is the heart of the show. The two finally come out with their emotions when Kit is thought to be dead by the Red Panda and he kisses her when she springs back to life. - Constable Andy Parker (Agent 51)
Good-natured officer of the law who has a crush on the Flying Squirrel. - Harry "Eagle Eyes" Kelly (Agent 391)
The youngest agent of the Red Panda, who takes small jobs as a delivery boy or shoe shiner in order to gather and pass information for the Red Panda. In the episode "The Rat King", Harry gained a code name: the Black Cap. - Dr. Theodore Chronopolis
Scientist, inventor and the foremost expert on the combination magic and science. The good Doctor has an unfinished time machine in Season One of RPA (mentioned in episode 3 "Rabbit Season") that was possibly completed sometime prior to the Season Two finale episode 24 "The World Next Door" and used by the Red Panda in a previously untold adventure to travel to the past, possibly in an adventure hinted at in episode 12, "The Deadliest Game". He is very disorganized and absentminded, but is very friendly and well mannered. - Tom Tomorrow
Heroic "Man of the Future". Equipped with Rocket Boots and other amazing futuristic gizmos. Voiced by Jonathan Llyr. - Gregor Sampson (Agent 33)
Deep cover agent of the Red Panda. DECEASED. - Spiro Pappas
A Contact Man for some of the Red Panda's agents, including Constable Parker. Owns a training facility for prizefighters. - Old Mister Finelman
Pharmacist and a Contact Man for some of the Red Panda's agents, including Harry Kelly. - The Stranger
Maxwell Falcone, international stage magician and mystic protector of the mortal realm. One of the first masked mystery men and one of the Red Panda's mentors. Officially works under the rule of the Council of Mages, but disobeys their rules about not interfering in mortal affairs. Retired member of The Society of Gentlemen Adventurers. - Lady Prianne Harcourn
A member of the Council of Mages. - Mack Tully (Agent 148)
Elevator operator and agent of the Red Panda. - Baboon McSmoothie
Time-traveling, dimension-jumping Man of a Thousand Faces from a parallel future universe. - Red Squirrel
Kim Baxter, Kit Baxter's great-great-granddaughter, who traveled backed from the future to stop the super-villain, The Puppeteer, from killing The Flying Squirrel or The Red Panda to get The Red Squirrel out his way.
[edit] The Forces of Evil
- The Sphinx
[Male] Mike Murtoch, a master safe-cracker turned teleporting cat-burglar with the supernatural aid of an ancient Egyptian amulet and a pair of mystic sapphires. - Professor Zombie
[Female] Antonia Zombanistro, a necromancer and inventor of Necronium 234, which can turn people into zombies. - Jackrabbit
[Female] Thief, murderer and speedster all rolled into one. - The Golden Claw
[Female] A criminal mastermind wearing a stolen body. - Commander Varkin
[Male] European "Ghost Ship" Captain with ties to a mysterious organization with a "great cause" and desire to "bring justice to the whole world". - Mordriel The Malevolent
[Male] A Faustian user of dark magic bound to shadow. Temporarily banished to another realm by long-time enemy, The Stranger. - The Mad Monkey
Insane simian-themed lunatic and self-proclaimed arch-nemesis of the Red Panda. He possesses the limited mental ability to communicate with baboons. - Legion of the Black Hand
Apocalyptic cult. "12 men of great learning, of great esteem" who sought to subjugate the power of a demon ("The Destroyer") and paid for it with their lives. - The Destroyer
Summoned by the Legion of the Black Hand, this demonic entity was -- with some magical assistance -- banished from the mortal realm by the Flying Squirrel. - The Genie
A supervillain who is terrorizing Toronto at the end of episode 13 "The Hand of Fate". It is later mentioned in episode 20 "Monkeyshines" that he had held Walter Potts captive. - Kid Chaos PRESUMED DECEASED
Super-foe alluded to at least twice in untold adventures. Prior to episode 12 "The Deadliest Game" The Red Panda is said to have traveled back in time with a cadre of heroes to stop him from changing history. - Professor Friedrich von Schlitz
A brilliant German professor who may also be heavily involved with preparing new and dangerous weaponry for the growing Nazi war machine. Warnings of his future malevolence were provided to the Red Panda by Baboon McSmoothie. Behind a plot to steal the American dirigible "Melchior", fill it with explosive gas and explode it over the city of Toronto. - The Syndicate
A criminal enterprise dedicated to bringing about a new world order. Possibly connected with the crew of the Ghost Ship and Commander Varkin.
[edit] Other Groups and Persons of Interest
- The Justice Union
- The Society of Gentlemen Adventurers
- The Council of Mages
- Chief O'Mally
- Wally (friend of Harry Kelly)
[edit] Original Universe Red Panda Mini-Series
Recorded years earlier, the original Red Panda mini-series was made up of six episodes set during World War II and was the original appearance of the Red Panda character. The name and the character's hypnotic powers are all that remain of the original Red Panda in the current series of podcasts. In episode 24 of The Red Panda Adventures, it was revealed that the world of these stories still exists in an alternate universe from which travel is possible. The original series had a far sillier tone, parodying many tropes of the patriotic superhero radio dramas of the 1940s, right down to product placement and appeals to buy war bonds. The lack of punching/kicking sound effects during fight scenes (mostly composed of enraged grunting and cries of agony) in the series unwittingly adds to the hilarity of these episodes.
[edit] Dramatis Personae
- The Red Panda
Referred to as "Canada's One Man Second Front," he was a superhero in Toronto prior to World War II breaking out, and along with the other "mystery men" of Canada, has pledged to use his talents to aid the war effort. From time to time, Red downs a gulp of Manlonite 990 for a temporary boost in strength and speed. - Baboon McSmoothie
"The Man of a Thousand Faces," McSmoothie is a former international jewel thief and current Australian secret agent. By taking a drug called "Adaptrinol T-13," he is able to change his features into any form he chooses. This is the same McSmoothie who appears in Episode 24 of the current Red Panda Adventures (see above). - Colonel Sparky Fitzking
Once the pet of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, Colonel Sparky Fitzking is a golden retriever who has undergone intelligence treatments that have given him the ability to talk. These treatments increased his natural canine intellect by a factor of 6000³. He essentially runs the government while the Prime Minister is indisposed. - William Lyon Mackenzie King
The Prime Minister of Canada, "Willy" was hit with a prototype German insanity ray, reducing his intelligence to that of a five year old. The government hides his mental deficiencies in an attempt to convince the Germans the ray doesn't work, by having Colonel Fitzking fulfill the Prime Minister's duties. - The Major
The Major, whose proper name is never given, is the leader of Special Ops and the Panda Division. Her own past is somewhat shady, and she has no compunctions about using any methods at her disposal to get what she wants. She has a known past with Baboon McSmoothie - Dr. Anna Handbasket
A scientist for Panda Division. She is the inventor of many of the tools used by the Red Panda, including Manlonite 990, the Zap Gun and the Ventriloquator. She is romantically connected to the Red Panda, and is the daughter of Bucky Handbasket, the Grey Panda. - The Green Panda
Thomas McStrongchin. Formerly the Green Guardian of Winnipeg and a member of the Prairie Patrol, this agent of Panda Division was decommissioned by The Major as a security risk. - The Grey Panda
Bucky Handbasket. Father to Anna Handbasket and retired agent of Panda Division in the last war. Last seen searching for The Black Panda. - The Black Panda
Victor Boysenberry. Hoping to prove himself to his mentor, the Grey Panda, and the woman he loved, Dr. Anna Handbasket, Victor took an earlier, unstable version of the Manlonite formula that not only enhanced his strength and speed but also horribly disfigured him. Burning him from the inside out with an unending supply of energy, Victor learned he could use the energy as a weapon by projecting it in a simultaneous burst from his eyes, mouth and hands. Wracked with pain and thought dead, Victor fell to despair until eventually joining forces with Professor Von Schlick. Victor ultimately redeemed himself by turning his energy powers on Von Schlick in order to save the Grey Panda and Anna Handbasket. STATUS UNKNOWN. - The Purple Panda
Killed In Action by Professor Von Schlick. DECEASED. - Professor Friedrich Von Schlick
Nazi scientist turned into a living oil slick. - The Flying Squirrel
Kent Baxter, a 15-yr old sidekick of the Red Panda who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. He is not mentioned by name in the original series, only referred to as a "teen sidekick". His name is revealed in the podcast/original series crossover. - Dorothy Dynamite
Dorothea McCocoa, owner of "Dorothea Chocolate International", she is a lunatic with a penchant for dynamite and an unrequited love for Benito Mussolini. - Professor Kelp
Owns an underwater grotto visited by the Red Panda. - Dr. Chronopolis
An armored super-villain, not actually appearing in the original six episodes, but referred to in the podcast/original series crossover. - Baron Otto Pilate
Pride of the Luftwaffe, an army of Nazi android pilots. - Maurice Baguette of the Resistance
French resistance fighter. - Great Dane
The greatest hero of the Danish resistance, 7' 9, can bench-press a tank, proficient with energy weapons and only speaks Danish. DECEASED. - The Vancouver Vixen
The former pseudonym of an unidentified Panda Division operative. - German Von German
Commander of an elite team of Nazi Ninjas.
[edit] Martin Bracknell's Black Jack Justice
[edit] Current Series
Black Jack Justice is a series done in the style of pulp detective stories, that follows the adventures of Jack Justice, a hardboiled 1940s detective, and his partner Trixie Dixon, girl detective, who share the narrative duty and often openly conflict. The series is introduced with the byline "Martin Bracknell", though it was noted in the "Season One Spectacular" that Bracknell was a completely fictional character from the original "play-within-a-play" stage version of Black Jack Justice. Both the play and the series are written by Gregg Taylor.
[edit] Dramatis Personae
- Jack "Black Jack" Justice
Full name: Jonathon J. Justice.
Owner and co-founder of "Justice and Dixon: Private Investigations". "Black Jack" Justice is a grizzled, hard-boiled private detective and one of the two protagonists of the series, along with his partner, Trixie Dixon (see below). Little is known about his childhood; he's one of seven children (Four brothers and Two sisters. Two of the aforementioned brothers were recently revealed to be deceased. Ep. 22 "Two of my brothers didn't make it back from the war"). Not much information is given about his parents. His father obviously shared some of his viewpoints ("I remembered what Jack's father had told him; If you're going to bet angry, make sure you cheat." Epi.13).
Before World War II, he worked with another private detective, Tom Fellows. Evidence suggests that he was deployed in Italy, Germany,and England. During the war, his partner, Tom Fellows, was captured. When Jack Justice returned home, he began to work with Trixie Dixon. His experiences overseas are a major factor in determining his character and have a profound impact on his outlook. On more than one occasion, his experience in the service aided him in his private detection, though just as often, it seems to be a curse. On the third Wednesday of October, Justice apparently spends long hours drinking with the remnants of his platoon, in what Dixon describes as an attempt "to finish off with whisky those whom the Germans had spared" (Epi.5). However, even under the effects of the next morning's eye-popping hangover, he still insists on showing up to work.
The nickname "Black Jack" originates before the war, during with early career, possibly with Tom Fellows. According to Frederick Hawthorne, Justice had a tendency to be knocked unconscious, or sapped, on a routine basis, apparently more often than anyone else in town. Someone was "mashing the back of ol' Jack's head" every few days. The nickname began as "Jack Justice, The Concussion King", until eventually, someone devised the rhyming "Black Jack", which Justice kept as it was good for business. After he returned from service, he was subsequently more aware and harder to sneak up on, vastly reducing the amount of times he was sapped.
One of Justice's other great advantages is his intimate knowledge of the city and it's major players. Justice is apparently an expert on the Sullivan Mob, having tangled with them on numerous occasions. The context of these encounters aren't exactly given, but he is largely responsible for putting Arthur Sullivan and his crime family behind bars. He also has a sordid history with Monte Callahan; an art thief and a gentlemen burglar. Justice ran Callahan, an expert on eluding capture, in on "the only charge that ever stuck": Receiving Stolen Goods.
The point or even the major reason why Justice and Dixon cemented their partnership is unclear; though it is revealed that the current office was originally Justice's old office, very possibly the one he shared with Fellows. The exact relationship between Justice and Dixon is a complicated one and one of the show's most popular points. Though they both banter relentlessly, the two private detectives do seem to care for one another, if only grudingly and without much regard. They have been known to get into scraps on several occasions, but even when presented with the choice of Dixon or Fellows, Justice chose Trixie (Epi.12).
Romantically, Justice has a strange side. Unlike his partner, Jack is much more reserved and the instances of romantic interest are considerably fewer and farther between than Trixie's. He appears to have long-standing, most likely unrequited, feelings for an unidentified Nora Nelson (Epi.8). In the very same episode, he apparently has a brief emotional attachment with a one Mary Hayden, revealed in a popular ending to the episode. According to actor Christopher Mott, Justice's ending monologue is his "favorite piece of writing that has ever come from the illustrious Mr. Taylor's pen." Later in the season, Justice and Helen Cale, after a confusing Tuesday, enjoy a few days together.
Justice is reputed to be a quick and nearly unstoppable talker, apparently very difficult to derail. Hawthorne claims he also isn't much of listener. He's known to own only one decent suit, eats black coffee, rye toast and boiled egg everyday for breakfast and carrys a .45 in his shoulder holster. For the record, his eyes are steel gray, not "baby blue" as referenced in Episode 2. Played by Christopher Mott.
- Trixie Dixon, Girl Detective
Full name: Trixie Cynthia Dixon
Owner and co-founder of "Justice and Dixon: Private Investigations". Almost nothing is confirmed about her childhood. She attended reform school as a child, where she reputedly learnt how to fight, along with several other tricks including a move known as the "Two Dollar Special", which apparently involves a roll of nickels, clenched in each fist. From what little information we are provided about her mother, we know that she may or may not "be sweet on" Trixie's partner, Jack Justice. Before working with Justice, Dixon worked on her own, though little information has been revealed about this particular time period.
For all her shady past, Trixie is the more responsible and organized of the two detectives. She enjoys research and during dry periods between cases reorganizes the filing cabinets. She is more likely to arrive at the office on time then Jack. Trixie is not against using her femininity in the name of an investigation, often flirting her way past doormen or bodyguards in her trademark "little red dress" or boots. In the Decoder Ring Theatre Season One Spectacular, she is described by voice actress Andrea Lyons as being "tough as nails, hard as asphalt, and just [wanting]to be loved- by someone other than Jack." Played by Andrea Lyons.
- Freddy The Finger
Frederick Josiah Hawthorne. Small-time crook and informant. He has a nervous habit of saying "see" anytime he knows something but won't spill the beans. He was friends with Justice before the war, and they have remained friends. Played by Peter Nicol. - King
The "vicious" dog detective acquired by Jack and Trixie in Episode 15 - How Much Is That Gumshoe In The Window?. Possibly named after Colonel Fitzking of the Original Universe Red Panda Adventures or the heroic dog star of the "Sgt Preston of the Yukon" old-time radio series. - Lt. Vic Sabien
Full name: Victor Aloysius Sabien
A Lieutenant who doesn't like Jack, but is willing to work with him to take down bigger threats. Gets along just fine with Trixie, who has to step-in from time to time to stop the two from beating each other senseless. In the first season, Lt. Sabien's middle initial was given as "J", but that was later revealed to be a red herring when Trixie told the audience his real middle name. Speculation on the boards as to why Trixie knows this fact whereas Jack doesn't touched on two probable reasons: either Lt. Sabien told Trixie in a moment of weakness, or his mother told her. Played by Gregg Taylor.
- Officer Nelson
A good shot, but a bad investigator. Played by M. John Kennedy. - Lawrence Braithwaite
Owner of the Braithwaite Detective Agency. Played by Gregg Taylor. - "Button Down" Theo
An investigator at Braithewaite's Detective Agency. Not very creative or outstanding in any particular way. He has an unrequited crush on Trixie because she is unlike "all the other girls," but if they were actually to get together, he would want her to settle down- just like all the other girls. Trixie continually refuses him, but he is undeterred. Played by Kevin Robinson. - Mordecai Brasseau
A rich man, now deceased. He had hired Jack Justice Investigations on many occasions and each time Jack and Trixie said it would be the last.
[edit] Gangs and Their Leaders
- The Sullivan Mob
Mentioned in episode 5 "Justice Incorporated". - The Mason Mob
Their leader is Chic Mason. Most of the gang was arrested in episode 9 "No Justice" Mason's main goons are Monk and Hawk. DECEASED. - Rocco D'Angelo's Gang
Their leader is Rocco D'Angelo, a.k.a. "Rocky Angel" a.k.a. The Angel of Death. DECEASED.
[edit] Stage Play
The original stage play version of Black Jack Justice played in Toronto in the summer of 2001. It was less a detective story than it was a one-act farce surrounding one very bad broadcast day in the life of a low-rated detective serial. As the play opens and the actors enter, bickering among themselves about their various personal conflicts, they are surprised to find the series writer and creator Martin Bracknell in their midst, seemingly quite busy at his typewriter. The cast is greeted with good news and bad news. The good news being that the show has a new sponsor, and the bad news being that they do not have a completed script. It turns out that, faced with the declining ratings after being put on against Jack Benny, Bracknell crawled into a whisky bottle and didn't come out for three weeks, during which time, his backlog of scripts were used. And so they are forced to go to air, only to learn that the still-inebriated Bracknell has incorporated their personal conflicts into the story and still left them twisting in the wind for a last-minute improvised summation by actor Max Davis who plays Jack. The play-within-a-play is actually very much a pilot script for the Black Jack Justice radio series, complete with the signature competing narrative voices of Jack Justice and his partner Trixie Dixon, Girl Detective.
[edit] References
- ^ "Parsec Awards Website". Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
- ^ "Canada's Greatest Superhero Launches Second Season of Podcast Adventures". Retrieved on 2006-09-24.
