The Secret of Sherlock Holmes -Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Writer: Jeremy Paul

Director: Robin Herford

Reviewer: Susan Locke

The Public Reviews Rating:

The recent success of Guy Ritchie’s film can only attest to the British public’s long standing love affair with Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and his faithful assistant Dr. Watson. This new production by director Robin Herford is in the more traditional mold than it’s filmic counterpart and all the better for that.

Peter Egan and Philip Franks reprise their roles from a couple of years back as Holmes and Watson respectively but whereas that was a production of The Hound of the Baskervilles this is a two-hander that relates the full story of Holme’s and Watson’s friendship, Holme’s relationship with his smarter older brother Mycroft and Holme’s mysterious encounter with his arch nemesis Dr. Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls.

The single two tier set designed by Simon Higlett consisting of Holme’s study and staircase leading up to chimneys is used to great advantage and the whole production is wonderfully lit by Matthew England. Smoking chimneys, gaslight and even the Reichenbach Falls are evoked by light and sound by Matthew Bugg.

Egan’s Holmes is witty and erudite and his fondness for the “seven percent solution” is not glossed over but in Philip Franks I feel we have a classic Watson, devoted, eager to learn and yet deeply hurt by Holme’s misuse of him.

Altogether a great pairing, and an atmospheric night at the theatre. Recommended.