Theater III’s dress rehearsal of Miss Holmes showed great promise for the upcoming production. Despite the expected level of technical issues being ironed out, the actors powered through and delivered without any interruptions. Their feat is all the more impressive considering the complexity of the show.
Sherlock Holmes is a beloved public figure and, as Sir Conan Doyle’s stories are public domain, he has inspired many interpretations and spin-offs. Christopher Walsh’s stage play Miss Holmes adheres remarkably close to the original version. Set contemporarily and in the same location, Holmes is just as peculiar, clever, and off-putting as ever. The major difference between the two Sherlocks is how they are treated by the public. While a male Holmes can insert himself into whatever situation he chooses without doing more than raising an eyebrow, a female one (played by Kendra Sweitzer) is held in contempt at every turn. Sweitzer tackles the nuance with gusto. Their Miss Sherlock Holmes chafes against the narrow constraints of womanhood and doesn’t take no for an answer.
Mycroft Holmes is perhaps the closest to his literary equivalent in character. Actor James Honaker brings him to life as if he’s sprung straight from the page. He is an even bigger threat to Sherlock than the dangers of the case itself: as her only surviving family member, he has the power to institutionalize her the moment he decides she threatens his reputation.
Miss Watson (Emily Frey) is markedly more driven than Doyle’s character. She has, and continues to, face extreme prejudice due to her career as a medical doctor. Frey slowly rekindles Watson’s hope in the future as Holmes teaches her what it takes to keep fighting.
The costume and set design teams for Theater III are spectacular as usual. Other than the gorgeous interior sets built on the wings, center stage features a wall with multiple hinges that allows a single door and two windows to be arranged into at least four distinct rooms and façades. Rachel Leicher’s lighting design adds further life to the buildings by clever usage of projection to create ornate windows and placards. Constant set changes necessitate the help of the entire ensemble, who are swift and smooth in their transitions.
Don’t miss out on Theater III’s production! With David Dooks’s refined deep bass as Officer Lestrade, to Todd Boothroyd’s throaty tenor terrorizing the streets as Thomas Chapman, the cast of Miss Holmes has the range to bring this show to life. Miss Holmes will run from January 24 through February 1. Tickets can be purchased at www.theater3.org.
Note: Due to expected winter weather, the Sunday, January 25 show has been postponed until Thursday, January 29. For more information, see https://www.theatre3.org/visit/tickets.
Grace Blaufuss is a resident of West Acton.
