Blackeyed Theatre’s Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear makes its Spring 2024 revival at Southwark Playhouse Borough after a successful run in 2023 across the UK. Adapted and directed for stage by Nick Lane, the play weaves two plots set in the past and the present with stylised, engaging storytelling (Joseph Derrington) and neat choral transitions transporting the audience to a different time where mysteries and adventures are the norm.
The play opens with Holmes (Bobby Bradley) decoding a mysterious message signalling “danger” with Dr. Watson (Derrington) and Mrs. Hudson (Alice Osmanski) at the iconic 221B Baker Street. This leads the duo on an adventure to an ancient manor house further unravelling a distant narrative set in Pennsylvanian Vermissa Valley involving a corrupt gang and their association with the assumed murder of John Douglas at Manor House. Amidst all of this is the looming and threatening presence of Prof. Moriarty with his own agendas.
While Bradley effectively captures Holmes still and calculative persona, it lacks his sharp and fiery edge which greatly pulls back the pace of the play slightly hampering the thrill of a murder mystery. Derrington’s Watson is gracious and wholesome, being a sporty supporter of his friend. His storytelling is powerful and clear, and their camaraderie is wonderfully played out. Blake Kubena, Gavin Molloy, and Osmanski truly shine in shifting swiftly between multiple characters with different accents with ease. Kubena’s stage presence is brilliant and uplifts the show. Osmanski adds such colourful flavours to all the different characters she plays. Molloy’s lead gangster role is particularly engaging! The play’s pacier second half definitely redeems the show!
Lane’s adaptation seamlessly and articulately brings the book alive with its complex dual narrative and creates vivid stage pictures with style and finesse. Victoria Spearing’s wooden set provides an ideal base for the parallel stories set in different times and places with some engaging choral transitions. Oliver Welsh’s light design fuels the thrill and anticipation with a shadowy and dark Manor House contrasting Holme’s safe and well-lit London abode. Original sound by Tristan Parker enhances the mood aptly and does its bit to add pace. While the show is neatly staged, it sticks to a predictable rhythm that disfavours the genre of the play.
The play is overall an entertaining and exciting watch for Sherlock fans!
Running till April 13th at the Southwark Playhouse Theatre. https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/
Reviewer: Khushboo Shah
Reviewed: 29th March 2024
North West End UK Rating: