Sherlock Holmes and the First English Gentleman

Sherlock Holmes and the First English Gentleman
By Doug Warwick. KADS Theatre (WA). Director Tim Edwards. May 6-28, 2011.

This Sherlock Holmes play, penned by a keen Canadian fan, appears designed for touring, with its cast of three playing multiple characters. Well produced by Blak Yak in conjunction with KADS, it provided a pleasant evening’s entertainment.

Chris Thomas in the title role, superbly captured the English gentleman, with his strange mix of addictions and intelligence. Carmen Miles, hiding a nasty injury to her arm, played beautifully dressed Lady Adamson with charm and power and stepped nicely into cross gender roles as Sir Charles Adamson and Wiggins. John Bevan looked perfect as Watson, but struggled somewhat with the phrasing and style in his chief role. He slid more comfortably into his second role, as museum worker and reformed thief Alfie Trottwood.

Set, costumes and props were a strange mix of simply outstanding and seemingly last minute compromises. Some properties, supplied from the author, took the audience’s breath away, while the main setting - Holmes’ drawing room, was expertly finished.

Snakes and spiders sent to kill Holmes, were handled with such expertise by (uncredited) puppeteer Stage Manager Michael McAllan and handled so genuinely by the cast that we were able to suspend our disbelief. This made elements such as an oil painting that wasn’t and a clumsily placed morgue table more obvious in contrast.

Director Tim Edwards has an obvious passion for Sherlock Holmes, but his blocking was occasionally obviously imposed.

Ultimately this was a show created with affection that played nicely and warmed hearts on cold evenings.

Kimberley Shaw

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