| “Stellar Theatre...It’s Funny, it’s Sweet and Very Clever!” |
Wales at Edinburgh Fringe in the 2020s |
| Owen Thomas- The Return of Sherlock Holmes- Fringe Management , The Space @ Surgeons Hall, Edinburgh , September 4, 2022 |
“Watson, the case grows interesting. Our time in Edinburgh is done.”“Back to old Baker Street, Holmes?” “No, Watson, further afield. We travel this month to the east.” “What ho, Holmes. I like Scarborough.” “No, Watson, we go to warmer climes, Watson. We travel first to Chang Mai”. * * * * The trajectory of every dramatist's life is its own. Owen Thomas was sighted in the Aeron Valley, below 9th June, then at the Hollywood Fringe, 21st July. The company for “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” takes a break after a high-intensity August. The next performances are Chang Mai, September. 30-31, Saigon October 7-8, Bangkok October. 21-23; and Phuket October. 27-29. Reviewers and audiences left their testimonies of enjoyment. From Northwestend's review: “Sherlock Holmes (Nigel Miles-Thomas) the world famous detective and his partner in crime Watson (Michael Roy Andrew) are at it again but this time it’s Watson who comes across the clues. It’s been three years since Sherlock’s believed demise at the hands of arch nemesis Moriarty and Watson finds himself lost. Returning to Baker Street to wander the old flat Watson find a letter addressed to himself from a strange source warning him of a murder that just so happens to be in the paper that day. “...Andrew plays of the role of Watson tremendously, a man in grief who still possesses the curiosity of a detective but displaying himself as a nervous mouse of a man. His comedic timing is on point, and he never misses a beat....This is a stellar piece of theatre and so well acted....It’s funny, it’s sweet and very clever!” Theatre Weekly: “Following much pressure from the public, after killing off his most famous character, Arthur Conan Doyle brings back Sherlock Holmes from the dead. As it turns out, he didn’t fall off the Reichenbach Falls with Moriarty at all, he did some Japanese wrestling on him, climbed the mountain again, then disappeared for a few years to do some mountaineering. Of course! “Despite what I’ve always thought is the silliest beginning to a Conan Doyle story, The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a smart, elegant adaptation of The Adventure of the Empty House. The play is a very faithful adaptation of the short story, with the few changes made to accommodate the restrictions of a two-man play. “The piece is very dialogue heavy, with most of the action happening offstage, however the fireworks of the ornate dialogue true to Conan Doyle’s style helps to hold the interest of the audience. The real joy of “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” is the two performances. Michael Roy Andrew embodies the prim Victorian gentleman of Watson impeccably, whilst Nigel Miles-Thomas effortlessly embodies the imposing and eccentric figure of Holmes.” Audience commentary: “Amazing. Magic happening with just four chairs, extremely simple props, and two captivating performers. A must for any Sherlock fan, and indeed such a contrast to the usual LOL fringe stuff. One hour of escapism into a world of mystery and suspense. Thank you so much and BRAVO!! “Fast- paced with excellent acting and staging not to mention bravery for exhuming a dead body and breathng life back into him with verve vitality and vigour..” “A deft homage to the Conan Doyle-Sherlock Holmes canon. Delivered with atmospheric style as Holmes' implacable sense of confounding and implausible logic reveals the truth obvious to him but few others. Really well played by a Holmes and Watson who deliver according to our expectations of the genre. Absolutely top class.” “Brilliant show with top quality acting. Felt completely absorbed in the world of Holmes and Watson.” “This show captures the essence of that magic relationship between Holmes and his disciple Watson. Eminently watchable as the deliciously predictable plot unfolds. Not to be missed by fans of Conan Doyle.” Reviews quoted with thanks: https://northwestend.com/the-return-of-sherlock-holmes-thespace-surgeons-hall/ https://theatreweekly.com/edinburgh-review-the-return-of-sherlock-holmes-at-the-space-surgeons-hall/ Audience at: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/return-of-sherlock-holmes |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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