Walnut Street Theatre continues its 217th season with an original, fresh take on Sherlock Holmes. Written by, directed by and starring the incomparable Bill Van Horn, “Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective” is based on the short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Van Horn’s spin sees our illustrious heroes, Sherlock (Harry Smith) and Watson (Van Horn) take on the fiendish Professor Moriarty (Dan Hodge) and his equally evil sister Arabella (Anna Bailey). The action begins on an eerie moor and takes our protagonists on a trek through London and across Europe as they try to evade death and thwart Moriaty and his minions.
Bill Van Horn as Watson and Harry Smith as Sherlock Holmes in “Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective” at Walnut Street Theatre. Photo by Mark Garvin
I went into the show expecting action and adventure and Van Horn’s creative, unique story delivered. What surprised me was the amount of humor and comedy mixed in, and I loved it. The small, talented cast delivered witty one liners, tongue-in-cheek moments and even times when the actors poked fun at the very material the story was mined from.
Smith is dashing and entertaining as Holmes. Van Horn is the steady, levelheaded presence needed for balance. Hodge is delightfully diabolical as Moriarty – slightly menacing and a wonderful foil for Holmes. Bailey is composed yet radiates power as Arabella. Talented Mary Martello plays motherly Mrs. Hudson perfectly. Dave Johnson is terrific as bumbling, likeable Inspector Lestrade.
Every actor plays multiple characters with ease and distinctiveness. This is aided by quick costume changes. The costumes, by Natalia De La Torre, were imaginative. Holmes’s disguises were especially well done.
I have yet, in 23 years, to see an underwhelming stage at Walnut Street. “Sherlock Holmes” was no exception. The set, designed by Jason Simms, was not elaborate but it is detailed and impressive none-the-less. I particularly liked Dr. Watson’s office and the cliffside where the action comes to a head. The carriages were imaginative.
Sound by Christopher Colucci, lighting by Alyssandra Docherty and wigs/makeup by Amari Callaway completed a stellar production.
If You Go:
“Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective” runs at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, through Feb. 15. Show times are 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets range from $97.85 to $127.85; $49 mezzanine tickets are available for the Jan. 27, 28 and 29 performances (code: HOLMES). For tickets or complete information, visit www.walnutstreettheatre.org, call 215-574-3550 or visit TicketMaster. The show runs 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission.