The Wrong Horse

Melbourne, 2017. Small-time criminals Noddy and Big Ears stumble from a day at the Werribee races into a disastrous criminal assignment. Noddy’s confused decisions and unexpected good fortune are matched by Big Ears’ unquestioning loyalty and spectacular lack of judgement. When a job appears to succeed but leaves the pair marked for death, they flee through Melbourne using increasingly ridiculous methods to avoid the criminals pursuing them. The Wrong Horse is an irreverent comedy-drama about friendship, disability, crime, fear and survival, following two hopelessly mismatched offenders who may be far more fortunate than they are competent.

The Wrong Horse explores friendship, loyalty, dependence, fear, paranoia, bad judgement and the unpredictable consequences of criminal behaviour. Through Noddy and Big Ears, the play examines how confusion, misplaced confidence and a succession of terrible decisions can transform a simple assignment into a desperate fight for survival. Beneath the comedy, the play considers vulnerability, disability, exploitation and the loyalty that binds two unlikely companions together when everyone else wants them dead.

A full-length comedy-drama presented in an act-and-scene format. The action moves rapidly between Noddy’s Footscray apartment, racetracks, TAB venues, pubs, criminal meeting places, Melbourne streets and horse-training properties near Bacchus Marsh. After Noddy and Big Ears mistakenly shoot the champion racehorse Ocean Waves and leave their gun behind, the story becomes an escalating criminal chase. Blackouts, lighting changes, prerecorded news reports, doubling of supporting roles and physical comedy create a fast-paced theatrical style as police, reporters, bookmakers, criminals and hitmen pursue the two fugitives.

The Wrong Horse is a contemporary Australian comedy-drama beginning at 7:00 a.m. on a Tuesday in May 2017. It is set across Melbourne and surrounding areas, including Footscray, Brunswick, Bacchus Marsh and the fictional Manikato Stables. The play draws upon Melbourne’s strong horse-racing tradition, TAB betting culture, suburban pubs and the city’s fictional small-time criminal underworld. News broadcasts, mobile communications and contemporary references place the story firmly in twenty-first-century Australia. Although inspired by recognisable aspects of Melbourne life and racing culture, the characters, Ocean Waves and the central crime are fictional.

Written by Marty MonStar in 2023, The Wrong Horse has been presented at The MC Showroom in Melbourne. The play is structured across three acts and is designed for five performers, with extensive doubling of supporting roles. Its episodic structure, rapid comedy and recognisable Melbourne locations suit independent theatre and ensemble production.

A flexible contemporary setting with minimal scenery and selected comic props. Lighting and sound support quick transitions, racing sequences and criminal action.

Recommended for mature audiences.

Contains frequent coarse language, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, gambling, firearms, criminal threats, contract killing, physical injury and the shooting of a racehorse. The play also contains crude sexual and bodily humour, disability-related language and depictions of impulsive or reckless behaviour.