The great sleuth Sherlock Holmes is at it again. Is there no case he cannot solve? Can his adversary, Professor Moriarty, finally chalk up a win against Holmes and Watson? And will Sherlock let his affections for a client cloud his judgment for once? These and other issues make Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily a very watchable and entertaining play. Writer Katie Forgette has filled the story with some big-name celebrities of late nineteenth century London: the flamboyant dandy Oscar Wilde, popular actress Lily Langtree and even ’Bertie’, Prince of Wales are implicated.
There is an appealing mix of fiction and real-world events in this story that keeps the audience engrossed. It starts when Sherlock’s (Neilson Brown) friend Oscar Wilde (Nathan Moss) visits him with Lily Langtree (Molly Haddon). Lily has had some intimate love letters between herself and the future King of England (Edward VII, aka ‘Bertie’) stolen and she is now being blackmailed to the tune of 10,000 pounds. Non-payment will result in their publication in every newspaper in the world. A further complication develops when Queen Victoria’s attendant Abdul Karim (Gunjeet Singh Chattha / John Grinston) advises Sherlock that a necklace gifted to Lily by Bertie needs to be returned to the Crown.
Giving feigned support to Lily is her trusted housekeeper Irma Tory (Meg Girdler). She is also an associate of petty criminal John Smyth (Liam O’Carroll) and the infamous Professor Moriarty (Igor Bulanov), the brainwave behind this extortion plot. Smitten by the beauty of Lily is the recently engaged Dr John Watson (Carlin Hurdis), Sherlock’s loyal assistant.
Katie Forgette has written a wonderful script. The dialogue between characters is sharp and witty, enabling the actors to weave their personality traits into their performances. Director John Grinston has choreographed stage movements perfectly and used the creative team to embellish the production to a higher standard. The sets (Tom Fahy), lighting (Mehran Mortezaei) and costuming (Susan Carveth) are noteworthy.
The seven scene changes occur effortlessly, as we move from Holmes’ Baker Street residence to the home of Lily Langtree and then to Moriarty’s underground office and the dungeon-like gas works, where Lily is held captive. The characters are well cast and actor has an opportunity to shine. Some maintain their heroic posture (Sherlock, Lily, Watson), while others thrive in their villainous roles (Tory, Smyth and Moriarty). Oscar Wilde is in a category of his own, having flippant disregard for the social norms of the day. Still, the take-away line for the night belongs to Sherlock Holmes.
Besides some interesting and surprising revelations in the story, there is dancing, a sword fight and a dream sequence in the staging. And to see the formidable Mr Holmes become vulnerable, adds an appealing, humanising element to his aura. This production of ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily’ is a great yarn and most entertaining, with appeal to all ages.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily plays Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney until 10 December 2022. Bookings: www.genesiantheatre.com.au
Paul Kiely
For more of Paul Kiely’s writings on theatre, check out Absolute Theatre
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Sherlock Holmes and the Ripper Murders (Genesian) – theatre review
- Coral Browne (fortyfivedownstairs) – theatre review
- A Passage to India (Genesian) – theatre review
Paul Kiely reviews shows in Sydney for www.absolutetheatre.com.au. He joined the team in 2018.
