YOU CAN GO HOLMES AGAIN!
The world obviously cannot get enough of Sherlock Holmes. Since the first story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle appeared in 1887, the immortal fictional private detective has appeared in countless books, films, plays, and television shows, with Dr. Watson as his faithful friend and chronicler. But there is always room for a new incarnation of the great man. Consider Kate Hamill‘s play Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt 2B now at The Old Globe. Holmes devotees will recognize that the Holmes address is also new, with apt. 2B replacing the iconic 221B.
Ruibo Qian (Ms. Sherlock Holmes), Nehal Joshi (Inspector Lestrade), Jenn Harris (Mrs. Drebber)
and Natalie Woolams-Torres (Ms. Joan Watson) in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B
In the opening scenes, we meet the sullen Shirley Holmes (Ruibo Qian) who lives alone in apt.2B in London, until one day Joan Watson (Natalie Woolams-Torres) joins her as a roommate. Then the elderly housekeeper Mrs. Hudson (Jenn Harris) comes cavorting in periodically (Harris later makes gaudy appearances as Irene Adler, Holmes’s glamorous nemesis). The plodding police inspector Lestrade (Nehal Joshi) also pays a visit, requesting Shirley’s assistance in investigating a crime.
Natalie Woolams-Torres as Ms. Joan Watson
Matters are not what they seem in the opening scenes. The plot twists and turns relentlessly for the remainder of the show as the playwright shifts gears in an instant, challenging the audience to keep track of what is happening where and who is who. And Hamill is as quick on the trigger with hip one-liners and snappy dialogue as she is with startling plot shifts.
Nehal Joshi, Jenn Harris, and Natalie Woolams-Torres
The play is directed by James Vásquez in the intimate in-the-round Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre that gives the four actors enough space to race around investigating the multitude of cases that collide with each other. The performers fill the stage with rapid-fire wisecracks and jokes, changing identities in milliseconds. There are no dead spots in the script once the basic layout of the comedy is established.
Natalie Woolams-Torres, Ruibo Qian, and Jenn Harris
Sean Fanning designed the set, providing just enough props to give the production a sense of place while allowing the actors freedom to do their thing in and around the playing area. Shirley Pierson designed the costumes with a successful mix of the modern and the Victorian. Amanda Zieve designed the lighting and Melanie Chen Cole designed the sound.
Natalie Woolams-Torres and Ruibo Qian
The program notes suggest that the playwright is bringing feminist leanings to her play. Maybe so, but I happily accepted the show as a clever and offbeat work certifying Kate Hamill as an irresistible theatrical craftsperson and wit. In any case, the Globe has an entertainment winner.
Jenn Harris and Ruibo Qian
photos by Jim Cox
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson–Apt. 2B
Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre
1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park
Tues-Thurs at 7; Fri at 8; Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 2 & 7
ends on September 1, 2024
for tickets (starting at $49), call 619.437.6000 or visit The Old Globe