Sherlock Holmes The Best Kept Secret Review

Sherlock Holmes:
The Best Kept Secret
New Victoria Theatre Woking

11-15 June 2013

Reviewed by Christine Charlesworth

Written by: Mark Catley
Directed by: Nikolai Foster
Based on the characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The New Victoria Theatre, Woking, is a very comfortable theatre, in easy reach of the two main car parks in Woking town centre and a short stroll from the railway station. The theatre is to undergo a number of face-lift changes to the main bar areas and downstairs seating areas during the summer of 2013.

From the outset this new play by Mark Catley is obviously not an adaptation of a Conan Doyle story. It is fast-moving, has comic moments, a bothersome caricature of a newspaper reporter, a sexy dream-scene, some blood and gore and also some magic.

The set, designed by Michael Taylor, allows for 32 swift scene changes with the use of two revolving structures either side, using the full height of the stage. One side turns to give us the inside of 221b Baker Street, the number shown in reverse on the dirty glass panel on the other side of the stage, which was a good detail. The set swiftly went from Victorian street scene, with rusting metal arches and steel columns of grimy Victorian London to library interior, horror chamber, prison cell and gallows, to name a few.

It is two years after the Reichenbach Falls fight between Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty. Sherlock is refusing new cases, is bankrupt and reduced to selling stories of his past glories. When his brother, Mycroft, is arrested for treason and murder Sherlock is jolted back into action.

The eight-strong company work well together. Jason Durr, as Sherlock, is more youthful than expected, listless, drug seeking and a broken man.Although, at times, his performance did seem to have echoes of Jeremy Brett who played Holmes in the 1980’s TV series his character was believable and the audience had sympathy with his vulnerability.

Watson, played by Andrew Hall, came to life more in the second half, with humour and also a hint of his feelings towards Sherlock. Adrian Lukis as Mycroft Holmes gave a superb performance as Sherlock’s brother, giving us an insight into the many complexities of autism. Victor McGuire as Inspector Lestrade had excellent stage presence and added a great deal of humour to the part.

Lighting was very atmospheric, although the red follow-spot in the sexy dream-scene was not used to full advantage. Music and sound effects were dramatic and there was a lavish amount of fog, both on stage and throughout the audience. Costumes were well designed with Sherlock appearing particularly dishevelled at his most vulnerable time and Tanya Franks, as Irene Adler, a glow of seduction in red during scenes in the second half, although it was a shame that the fast change following the dream scene meant that she kept her boots on underneath her too-short Victorian nightdress.

The audience clearly enjoyed this production.

Rating: 4/5

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