The Game’s Afoot! Sherlock Holmes’ World Premiere at the Walnut Street Theatre

I was thrilled to attend the world premiere of Bill Van Horn’s Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective, as directed by the playwright at America’s oldest theatre.

Starring Harry Smith and Bill Van Horn as the iconic duo, Sherlock Holmes was an acting masterclass. Smith skillfully inhabited the titular role, driving the production forward and supporting the play’s endearing narrator/player Watson. I was also thrilled to see Dave Johnson’s name on the playbill. I’ve previously attended some of his performances at The Lantern Theatre company, notably The 39 Steps. I can confidently say that Johnson delivers the most riotously comedic performances I’ve ever seen! His ability to switch between characters, which he utilized in both Sherlock Holmes and The 39 Steps, is joyously entertaining. Every cast member, of which there were nine, were so talented!

Photo by Mark Garvin, featuring Dave Johnson as Inspector Lestrade and Anna Bailey as the Constable

Adapting such an celebrated story is no easy task. Horn expertly blended the wit and charm necessary, though, to make audiences feel at home in the Walnut. In this way audiences accompany Horn, taking on the role of Watson alongside multitalented creator. Though we do not know what will happen next, as Watson often doesn’t, we feel comforted by Sherlock’s confident demeanor and constant accuracy. I do wonder why Watson was often unable to decipher Sherlock’s movements and motivations, though. Sherlock would have only picked the best and brightest to be his right hand man, right? If the intention was to bridge a connection between Watson and the audience, then I believe Horn executed this very well. We see Watson’s story unfold before his own eyes, which is supported by his periodic narration. I do think, though, that Watson deserves more credit! Sherlock and Moriarty are not the only bright minds in the play!

Still, Horn wrote an entirely unique adaptation while staying true to the heart of the original, a task which is as important as it is difficult! Kudos!

The Walnut Theatre’s production value always stuns. I was last impressed by their production of Hay Fever, which also featured both Anna Bailey and Harry Smith. The set for Sherlock Holmes, designed by Jason Simms, was fantastic. It artistically captured the spirit of London, that which is so central to the Sherlock story, while practically serving the play’s scenic changes.

Photo by Mark Garvin, featuring Bill Van Horn as Watson and Harry Smith as Sherlock

This set, and the theatre’s cleverly themed cocktails, washed a whole new wave of nostalgia over me! Take me back to London!

In all seriousness, though, attending a production at the Walnut Street Theatre is an amazing experience. I love reading about the theatre’s history and dragging my family about the lobby whilst they stress over making it to our seats on time (we always do!). Really, though, the Walnut Street Theatre’s dedication to producing works both new and old… or new from old in the case of this adaptation?… is a really amazing thing. You can practically feel the centuries of audiences who have poured through the theatre doors.

Thank you to everyone at the Walnut for producing such a fantastic production! If you have yet to see Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective, you have until February 15th!

Cover Photo taken by Mark Garvin, featuring Bill Van Horn and Harry Smith