Red River High School Drama Department Presents 'The Lighter Shade of Noir'

The fabulously funny spoof on film noir detective movies opens this weekend.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:39pm

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Red River High School's theater production, 'The Lighter Side of Noir,' is a spoof on film noir detective movies, according to director Rich McFarlane. Performances are set for Thursday-Sunday, January 29-February 1. The play follows a 'hard-boiled detective' named Trent Trowel as he joins other famous detectives at an International Police Department gala, but soon discovers that 'everything is not what it seems.'

Why it matters

Film noir, a cinematic style popular in the 1940s and 1950s, is characterized by cynical anti-heroes, stark lighting, and nighttime urban settings. This high school production aims to pay homage to the genre through a comedic lens, providing an opportunity for students to showcase their acting and technical skills.

The details

The play was written by Patrick Derksen, a teacher in Morden, Manitoba, and has been performed by other schools in the past. Red River High School selected it because it 'maximizes student involvement,' allowing many students to participate regardless of the size of their role. The cast includes over 30 students, and the technical crew is also heavily involved in the production.

  • Performances are set for 7 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, January 29-31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, February 1.

The players

Rich McFarlane

The show's director and RRHS theatre arts and speech teacher.

Bricker McGillicuddy

A senior at RRHS who plays the lead role of Trent Trowel, a 'hard-boiled detective.'

Patrick Derksen

The playwright who wrote 'The Lighter Side of Noir' and has been invited to attend a performance at RRHS.

Emerson Eastman

The student director who is also in charge of lights.

Amanda Kraft Jacobsen

The assistant director.

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What they’re saying

“Trent Trowel is your typical gumshoe – searching the mean streets for crimes to solve and dames to fall for.”

— Rich McFarlane, Director

“He's a serious guy, but no one takes him seriously.”

— Bricker McGillicuddy, Actor playing Trent Trowel

“I might be the lead character, but (this play) is something people are putting on as a group. I've never seen a high school program like it.”

— Bricker McGillicuddy, Actor playing Trent Trowel

What’s next

The playwright, Patrick Derksen, has been invited to attend a performance of 'The Lighter Side of Noir' at Red River High School.

The takeaway

This high school production of 'The Lighter Side of Noir' provides an opportunity for students to showcase their acting and technical skills while paying homage to the classic film noir genre through a comedic lens. The large cast and crew involvement highlights the strength of the Red River High School drama program.