One of the things that makes Storyhouse’s summer season at Grosvenor Park such fun is seeing the same players taking multiple roles not just in one production but two. The same core cast of ten actors who we saw just two weeks ago in Pride and Prejudice are now also appearing in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which will appear in repertory in the park until the end of August.
The only change to the casting is that a different two members of Storyhouse Young Company get to make their professional debuts in this production, and the action is filled out with a community chorus, who help to create more movement to the stage in ensemble scenes.
Another Storyhouse Original Production, this playful riff around the classic stories and characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is written by Molly Taylor and directed by Ellie Hurt, and as both are based in Liverpool they are able to bring a lot of local flavour to proceedings.
Expect the unexpected because, like Stephen Moffatt’s TV series, this is very much a 21st century Sherlock. The time period is, however, where the similarity with that interpretation ends, because this is very much a lighthearted romp that has its tongue firmly in its cheek.
We begin at Crime-Con, a convention for mystery writing enthusiasts, which is where we meet true-crime author Jo Watson being interviewed for a podcast. Watson is played by Alyce Lyburd, in a lively performance that is perhaps one of the ‘straightest’ characterisations in the piece, very much befitting the analogy with Conan Doyle’s diarist doctor. The interview leads to a flashback, as Watson recalls her last encounter with Sherlock Holmes.
After a teasing ‘I’m Spartacus’ style flurry of faux Sherlocks, complete with deer-stalkers and tweed capes (there is a good deal of crime-fiction cosplay going on here, including a pink panther) we are finally introduced to Holmes himself, in the guise of Ethan Reid. This is where we cast aside any thoughts of Benedict Cumberbatch. Reid’s Sherlock is far more reminiscent of Kris Marshall’s Humphrey Goodman in Death in Paradise. Vague and impulsive, this Sherlock has more the level of deductive reasoning of Inspector Clouseau, and the eventual unravelling of the crime itself is very much a team effort.
Sherlock is called to the Grosvenor Estate where Rory and Jasmine, the Lord and Lady Grosvenor, are perplexed by the theft of a valuable painting, along with the mysterious murder of an unlikely victim, albeit one who seems to have been the subject of mistaken identity.
With a masked ball and an impromptu visit to Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral (complete with a motley collection of nuns) there is plenty of room for designer Jess Curtis to have a lot of fun and keep the cast and crew busy with multiple costume changes.
Hannah Baker and Eddy Westbury are a delight as the Grosvenors, , whilst Victoria Brazier puts in a splendid turn as Mrs Hudson, and Howard Chadwick gives some scene stealing performances as the long suffering police inspector DCI Ray. All of the above also double, like the rest of the cast, as many other characters, as well as providing their own instrumental accompaniment in Paula James’ eclectic musical score.
As with Pride and Prejudice, the cast demonstrate a real understanding of the necessity to be heard in the open air setting, and there is tremendous clarity of delivery throughout, with the possible exception of one scene which, inexplicably, is played out in a way that obstructs nearly everything from view with white sheets. Its 2 hours 20 minutes run time (including interval) could perhaps stand a light trim, especially in the first act, but the show is generally well paced and never fails to entertain.
This is perfect lighthearted fare for a summer evening (or indeed an afternoon) and with its huge sense of nonsense and a barrage of witty one-liners and in-jokes about the locality it scores a hit with the crowd.
You can catch The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes until August 31st, with performances at various times from 2.30 to 7:30, and enjoy a range of refreshments and freshly made pizzas both in your seat and in the extensive picnic area within the festival site. Those with younger families can also enjoy the third offering in this year’s repertoire, which is a 45 minute Alice in Wonderland ‘walkabout’ experience, specially aimed at children under 10.
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| Ethan Reid as Sherlock Holmes - all photographs by Mark McNulty |
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| Ethan Reid as Sherlock Holmes with members of the cast |
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| Victoria Brazier 'in hiding' at a masked ball |
Star Rating 4 stars
This review was originally written for publication by Good News Liverpool
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