If you have been able to bag yourself a ticket for one of the remaining performances, then you are in for a real festive treat and a show that leaves you feeling light-hearted.
When I first heard of ‘A Sherlock Holmes Christmas’ I was fully expecting a classic take on Sherlock Holmes where I would leave feeling more confused than when I arrived, however I did not expect to leave having laughed more than I have in a while.
Performed at The Source at The Old Courthouse, at first glance, I was dubious, but the venue is small and intimate and allowing the audience to feel as if they were a part of the story, this was put to good use when character Gerald Sandeford tries to get everyone involved when he rants about the language Watson uses. The lighting and sound are simple but works with the size of the venue and credit goes to Felix Morton and Jon Smith for their involvement.
The simplicity of the venue makes sense as the play itself outshines everything around it. Writer and director Billy Moreton says, “I have adapted two of Conan Doyle’s more festive stories (The Blue Carbuncle, obviously, and The Beryl Coronet) to be told through a frame narrative device which I hope will amuse any Sherlockians in the audience. The stories are told in a light-hearted, comedic manner, but always in a loving tribute to Conan Doyle’s amazing work.” With only five actors, the use of the set, costumes and props helped to change locations and characters seamlessly (the clever use of white throw pillows becoming an unsuspecting goose was very clever).
As for the acting, in a cast of so few you can normally find one stand out performance but quite honestly every member of the cast was superb. The comic timing and delivery of lines was excellent and really helped with each actor playing a number of different characters, whether they were a well to do english gentleman or a Cockney thief. Led by writer and director, Billy Moreton played the often sidelined John Watson, while fellow actors Craig Finlay (Blessington/Holmes), Beth Burns (Mary Watson), Cyd Cowley (Gerald Sandeford) and Matilda Morissey (Clarissa Sandeford) each played their respective roles perfectly.
My only criticism is that it wasn’t in a larger venue for more people to be able to enjoy it. It truly was an excellent evening of entertainment, one audience member described it quite aptly as a panto for adults (mild language, references to crime, and frequent innuendo) and understandably they now have a sold out run for the remaining performances. If you have been able to bag yourself a ticket then you are in for a real festive treat and a show that leaves you feeling lighthearted.