THE new stage adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes The Valley of Fear at Bath’s Theatre Royal flatters to deceive and makes for a somewhat disjointed night out.
The plot comprises a mix of two cross-Atlantic tales - one taking place in England and the other in the United States of America and the link between them is revealed only in the final scene.
As such, the audience has a long wait for the final denouement and consequently, the end result leaves one feeling dissatisfied with the whole.
Blackeyed Theatre brings the play to Bath prior to its London premiere at Southwark Playhouse and following a successful nationwide tour last year.
Adapted by Nick Lane from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel, The Valley of Fear features original music composed by Tristan Parkes.
While the production combines stylish theatricality and gripping storytelling, the action alternates between 221B Baker Street, a moated manor house in Sussex, and the Vermissa Valley in Pennsylvania.
Sherlock Holmes receives a mysterious coded message, warning of imminent danger, and he and the faithful Dr Watson are drawn into a tale of intrigue and murder.
Faced with a trail of bewildering clues, Holmes begins to unearth a darker, wider web of corruption, a secret society and the sinister work of his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty.
The stage adaptation is performed by five actors with Bobby Bradley playing the roles of Sherlock Holmes and Teddy Baldwin.
The roles of Dr John Watson, Thad Morris and Eldon Stanger are performed by Joseph Derrington, while Blake Kubena excels in the four roles of Jack McMurdo and Detective White-Mason, Birdy Edwards and John Douglas.
Gavin Molloy appears as Bodymaster McGinty, Cecil Barker, Officer Jasper, Ames, Inspector McDonald and Professor Moriarty, while Alice Osmanski appears as Ettie Shafter, Mrs Hudson, Mrs Allen. Ivy Douglas and Officer Marvin.
It’s here where the problem lies, because having so few cast playing so many roles, makes for confusion as they slip in and out of the different time periods, characters and accents.
The set consists mainly of a wooden framework which is transformed from scene to scene by clever staging, combined with the use of props, lighting and music.
Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear appears at the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday, April 20. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk
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