'Sherlock Holmes': Live at the Roman Theatre

A brand new repertory company has been born - OVO in St Albans promises much following its opening production of a new adaptation of 'Sherlock Holmes'.

The wonderful cast and set of 'Sherlock Holmes'

The 12th Annual Roman Theatre Open Air Festival in St Albans (a short train ride north of London) was launched with a wonderful production of Sherlock Holmes. Four actors took on 25 characters and the audience’s suspension of disbelief allowed for a hilarious presentation that included some of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best characters and plots.

Director Mark O’Sullivan has created a show that is both verbally and visually witty. The four actors jump between gender and somehow make it easy to follow the narrative. There was lots of judicious use of costume - hats and wigs in particular - and body language that was reminiscent of some screen presentations of these characters. Just as Holmes dons disguises, so did all of the actors, in presenting narratives that weaved in and out of each other - beginning and ending with the Reichenbach Falls (sort of).

Just as the direction and acting of Sherlock Holmes was brilliant, so, too was the stage design, which made excellent use of the outdoor space and gave a dynamic setting for the action.

St Albans’ Roman Theatre is a marvellous venue and it was great to hear about the plans for even more events here and the future of the professional repertory company at the year-round Barn Theatre from OVO Artistic Director Adam Nichols.

Oh, and Sherlock Homes DOES say “Elementary” from time to time, but NOT “Elementary, my dear Watson”. Out in the elements of the open air theatre, Mark chose to give that one significant word to Holmes’s arch-nemesis, Irene Adler.

There’s still time to catch ‘Sherlock Holmes’ until 20 June and lots more to come from OVO