True Crime. Mysteries. Thrillers. What is it about death that fascinates us humans? Perhaps it’s a reminder of our own mortality, a subtle way for us to make peace with the inevitable enigma that awaits us all. Death is that inevitable end, but the how, when, and why are yet to be written. Death and mystery are the core storylines of the tales of Sherlock Holmes, the world-famous detective, and his faithful sidekick Dr. John Watson. The Baker Street duo are perhaps the world’s best-known detectives, renowned for tackling unsolvable crimes, elusive criminals, and horrendous murders.
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B gives us a new twist on the age-old classic mystery duo. No longer are we following an eccentric man and his sidekick, but instead, an eccentric woman and her female sidekick, as the title so obviously depicts.
As the play opens, the audience is immediately challenged to interact – this hallmark is one of my favorite parts of black box theatre. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s fun when it does. Audience interaction is always spontaneous, and reactions can vary greatly, which keeps things interesting.
The cast in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson is small but mighty, with all roles being played by 4 actors. Two cast members, Taryn Pruett and Forest Noelle-Bailey, lend their talents to several different characters, with voice and dialect changes and frequent costume changes. Noelle-Bailey’s portrayal of Lestrade is quirky, and her London accent (did I detect some cockney?) was very well done, and her quick changes into other characters, including the narrator, were seamless. Pruett perhaps had the most challenging range of character changes, going from the frazzled old landlady to then transforming into the seductive and alluring Irene Adler. Pruett’s powerful depiction of Adler will be an audience favorite. It’s always fun when an actor plays a role so well, when their emotional layering is so nuanced, you can’t decide if they are one of the good guys or the bad guys – leaving you guessing until the very end. I was very impressed with both supporting actors and their versatility and commitment to the characters.
Dr. Watson was played by Maya Arana, who you might remember from her recent role as Ella in Life Sucks on the Playhouse stage. Arana’s portrayal of Dr. Watson was not a classic interpretation, but in my opinion was a new and interesting character altogether, which matched perfectly as a companion to our main protagonist, Ms. Holmes. Arana brings a certain charm to all her acting roles. She holds nothing back, and so the audience is drawn in – to the sadness, the horror, the agony. Arana developed a complex character with a complete and compelling modern backstory for why she denies being a doctor. The added emotional conflict really plays well into the overall story arc.
And then we have Sherlock Holmes. It’s not an easy task to play one of the most recognizable characters in books, TV, and movies, but Jess Trout brought their own unique spin. Ms. Holmes was everything we know and love about our favorite detective (or, ahem, I mean, “Deductive Consultant.”) They were cool, calm, confident, and as charming and aloof as always. Their demeanor was a perfect portrayal of the complex character we know Holmes to be: assertive, arrogant, and drug-using. But Trout brought more to the table than just the classic take. They brought more warmth and more depth than I’m used to seeing for this character, a welcome addition that tied in beautifully as they tried to help Watson deal with (and solve, of course) the trauma of her past. The unexpected romance storyline took me by surprise, but Trout’s ability to deliver incredibly science-heavy dialogue all while retaining their poise and charm made for an unforgettable Sherlock Holmes.
The set is simple, but not an inch of it is wasted. Some clever set changes and fun lighting tricks take us from Apt. 2B to the London Underground. Some fun sound effects make for an interactive “video-watching” scene, which brings the entire play into the modern, social-media era.
I won’t dive too much into the mysteries they solve because, well, they wouldn’t stay mysteries if I spoiled them. But what I will say is that this play takes its time and takes the audience through several different “whodunit” scenarios that weave in and out of the overall storyline. As with any good mystery, the play has dead bodies, stolen documents, explosions in the street, romance, double-crossing, and of course one great scene where Holmes and Watson don disguises to try to recover something for a client.
My favorite play in the modern era of Ponca Playhouse was Life Sucks, but this one is solidly in my top five. If you go, be sure to take advantage of the audience interaction portion, enjoy the action, the mystery, the romance – but whatever you do, don’t call Ms. Watson Shirley.
