Sherlock Holmes review

Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle adapted by Nick Lane, Northern Stage

Review for Northern Arts Review

Sherlock Holmes, The Hunt for Moriarty starts with a burnt-out room in the detective’s 221B Baker Street address. The audience are then taken on a twisting, turning journey explaining how his office was left in ruins, never knowing if Holmes, well-played by Mark Knightley, will also be similarly destroyed.

This ambitious play – produced by Blackeyed Theatre, in association with Theatre Royal Winchester and South Hill Park – is an intriguing adventure which tests the skills of Sherlock Holmes, one of the country’s most beloved and well-known detectives.

The world premiere production’s script is cleverly drawn from several of Arthur Conan Doyle’s short stories by Blackeyed Theatre’s writer and director, Nick Lane. It features a range of plot lines, occasionally testing the audience’s powers of concentration, but definitely delivering on the payoff. In fact, the programme helpfully sets out the key plot points to enable everyone to join the dots, with spoiler alerts as necessary!

The tension built well as Holmes faced challenges to defeat his nemesis and try to recover lost plans while also, on a different level, preventing the world from being thrown into chaos. There is a definite nod to the current strains being endured in our own international affairs.

Part of the success of the atmosphere can be credited to the excellent musical score which really helps enhance the feeling of suspense, but the crux of a great production rests on the cast’s skill. The whole ensemble delivered a play which packed a real punch. They were all filling big boots, following a range of acting legends who had played their roles including Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr, Una Stubbs, Andrew Scott and Mark Gatiss, to name but a few. They didn’t appear intimidated and were more than a match for their predecessors.

Ben Owora, as Doctor John Watson, was impressive as Holmes’ right-hand man. He was the narrator, guiding the audience through the action and linking scenes seamlessly. The beloved Mrs Hudson in the Conan Doyle stories was well played by Pippa Caddick. She was no mere housekeeper in this production. This woman proves a valued researcher and assistant, helping with the investigations.

Pippa Caddick and her fellow cast members, Gavin Molloy, Robbie Capaldi and Eliot Giuralarocca played four or five characters each to excellent effect. They move on and off stage, changing personalities in the blink of an eye – a masterclass in acting.

Despite the sense of jeopardy, the play cleverly shifts its mood occasionally, with a good use of humour. This gave the audience time to breathe, for a brief moment.

The clever set design by Victoria Spearing played an important part in this production’s success. It looked deceptively simple but wasn’t. The stage transforms, with the aid of projections, into a back lane, train station, gentlemen’s club and even a dramatic waterfall. These projections were also show the audience clues and documents, which was an effective device rather than presenting everything via the characters’ words and actions.

Sherlock Holmes, The Hunt for Moriarty, is one of the longest plays I’ve seen recently, with two acts running at 70 minutes each. Hats off to the production team, as the play held my attention tightly throughout.

 The whole ensemble deserved a big round of applause – which they did, of course, receive – for their great performances and all-round work ethic. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this performance. Stories of Sherlock Holmes have been told in many forms since they were written, but Blackeyed Theatre shows that the stories can still hold fascination and be made relevant for today’s audiences.

Credit to them too for championing regional theatre which is affordable.