Warm and cheerful recognisable show
Written and directed by Mark Shanahan, A Sherlock Carol is on just a stone’s throw from Baker Street at the new Marylebone Theatre, which is the perfect setting for this Dickensian crossover show.
Set design by Anna Loiuzos is simple but effective, using shapes and suggestions to transport the audience to the time period. Particularly impressive gas lamps and the use of a metal frame to transition between locations. One of the highlights of the show is the talking door knocker – very cleverly animated.
The show sees a crossover of A Christmas Carol and Sherlock Holmes in a spooky redemption story that doesn’t always make sense or translate. With elements of pantomime in a ‘dame like’ servant and lots of repeated in-jokes for fans of the characters, the writing sadly lacks the punch needed for this show to truly be something challenging and new. The narrative sections often serve to talk about themes which somehow don’t seem relevant – particularly the emphasis on Moriaty being dead – for now. A running joke which implies a return/ghost which doesn’t happen.
The cast are all accomplished in their own right but sadly struggle to gel through the direction of the piece. Stilted conversation and lack of connection means even the well known team if Holmes and Watson come across as strangers. The multi-roleing however is very successful – with many characters being played by 6 actors, smoothly transitioned and demonstrated. Damian Lynch who plays Dr Cratchit is the standout – charming and truthful his performance illuminates the stage.
The standout aspect of the show has to be the Sound Design by John Gromada, with impressive soundscapes throughout amplifying the tensions and utilising the space. Particularly the spooky echoes which travers the auditorium to disorientate.
Most disappointing are the costumes which sadly look amateur and particularly badly fitting on the female cast – they lack the historical reference and class to look realistic.
What the show lacks in finesse it makes up with nostalgia and heart – for anyone looking for a cheesy Christmas Carol crossover with Sherlock Holmes this show does what it says on the tin.