A mysterious coded message and a befuddling death – in this adaptation from the novel to the stage, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson attempt to solve the winding mystery of another murder.
Blackeyed Theatre’s latest endeavour Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear has made its way to Southwark Playhouse Borough. As a theatrical version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s namesake novel, this play was certainly fun to watch. Adapting the book to the stage is an admirable feat, well executed by playwright Nick Lane. Condensing a novel of such complexity, as is typical of the Sherlock series, is no easy task; Lane was able to do so with dexterity. The easily muddled plot remained crystal clear, even while jumping between time and place. At one moment, we are in the countryside a little outside of London, then suddenly we are in rural America many years prior. The cast’s deft use of props, accent and caricature made these divergences easy to follow.
Blackeyed Theatre’s Adrian McDougall cites the use of Brechtian techniques used in the company’s early works as one of the underlying themes of their productions. Though it may not be obvious in a play such as The Valley of Fear, it is these subtle Brechtian suggestions that made the play an ease to watch. The cast of five played a multitude of characters each, swapping between accents, dress, and behaviour nimbly. The simple set was transformed to a myriad of locations over the course of the play, the same set of props becoming a train carriage, desk, lodging, bedroom, and much else. Bobby Bradley, Joseph Derrington, Blake Kubena, Gavin Molloy and Alice Osmanski formed an excellent ensemble.
The subtle nod to Brecht falls in line within the overarching understanding that this play was self-aware. The externalized drama was fun and perfectly in line with the somewhat melodramatic nature of the Sherlock Holmes series. Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear knows that it is not making a statement or changing the landscape of British Theatre. Instead, it endeavours to showcase a theatricalized version of a novel that many around the U.K. know and love.
It would be advised to brush up on your memory of the characters and general nature of the Sherlock Holmes plot, as you are not given much breathing room within the play to pause and process. There is much to say, and little time to say it. The challenge of fitting such a complex story into a play left the audience with a two and a half hour evening (including interval). At times, the minutes seemed to swoop by. Nevertheless, the first act was not immune to dragging a little.
Overall, Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear is a great watch for fans of the series, and an entertaining evening out for those less familiar.