Sherlock Holmes by Joel Horwood – ★★★★★
“That treasure isn’t free wealth, it’s stolen history.”
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre opens its doors to Joel Horwood's mind with his new play - Sherlock Holmes. A new mystery, yes, but also a mirror on society as we see it and Britain as we know it. For just over two hours, we are mesmerised by the detail of this production, taken on a journey of discovery.
Set just a brief stroll from the Sherlock Holmes museum, we are in 1890s London, introduced to Sherlock Holmes (Joshua James) and Dr Watson (Jyuddah Jaymes). Based very loosely on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Sign of the Four, this rendition tells a story of empire, colonialism, race, morality and friendship, to name a few.
Dr Watson is visited by Miss Mary Morstan (Nadi Kemp-Sayfi), who has a case for them to solve. She explains that she had been receiving gifts every year for several years, but the most recent drew speculation as it came with a note.
Sherlock and Watson set out to investigate the source of the note and the origin of the jewels arriving without explanation. Their investigation leads them to Thaddeus (Patrick Warner), and from there the play finds its stride. We follow them through a series of escalating encounters: an arrest, a night at the theatre and, ultimately, the unravelling of the mystery itself. It is a story that builds with intention, each beat earning the next.
One of the most exciting things about this production is that everything feels connected. There are no parts out of beat, and that is very much to Joel Horwood's credit as director. The full use of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre goes beyond breaking the fourth wall. It is a full immersion into just how far theatre can reach when it is in the right hands. Every scene, every transition, feels like a heightening of the senses.
The cast are phenomenal, with many taking on multiple roles and switching between them with remarkable ease. Benjamin Harold as Captain Morstan, Theo Reece as Domingo and Yuyu Rau as Lin/Nancy. Patrick Warner, Andre Antonio, Paulo Guidi, Tamara Tare, Marcia Lecky and Rakhee Sharma were all wonderful across their variety of roles. Mervin Noronha was phenomenal to watch from beginning to end, and as Mary Morstan, Nadi Kemp-Sayfi was as gracious as she was deceptive.
The standout for me is Will Brown, who plays both Small and Lestrade. The juxtaposition between the two characters is striking, and the way Brown moves between them is brilliant.
The intentionality behind the casting is equally notable. Woven into the script and dialogue are references to how the characters look, who they are, and what that means to the wider story being told. These are not throwaway details but deliberate, considered choices that enrich the narrative and speak to the production's larger themes.
Joshua James as Sherlock is excellent. He fully embodies the complexities and intricacies of this particular version of the character. It feels real, and in truth, it is. Jyuddah Jaymes as Watson is equally bold, sharp and charismatic, and the chemistry and growth in friendship between the two was incredibly wholesome.
The first act does take a moment to find its footing, and the play moves quickly, so keeping up is part of the experience. The recap of the first half after the interval, however, is a welcome and well-executed touch.
The space truly comes alive as the sun sets and everything begins to feel electric.
Regent's Park is the perfect setting for a production like this: open, atmospheric and full of possibility. Grace Smart's set is simple at first glance, but that simplicity is its strength, creating room for the show to build around it. The use of movement throughout is fantastic and at times genuinely powerful, adding a physicality to the storytelling that words alone could not carry, presented with great precision through Charlotte Broom's choreography. Ryan Day and Elena Peña's sound and lighting work together to create an atmosphere that feels entirely alive. Costumes, too, are well-considered and fitting to the period. Nothing feels out of place, and everything serves the world of the production.
There is so much to be said about Sherlock Holmes, but excellent will suffice for now. To tell a mystery story in this way, gripping and propulsive, whilst drawing on themes of empire, race and morality, is worthy of real praise. Using Sherlock as a lens through which to critique the British Empire, without ever dictating how the audience should feel, is exactly what theatre should do. The commentary is just that: commentary. We are not told what to think, the actors do not have all the answers. They simply present their case and leave the rest to us. A strong plot, great action and more than enough to carry home when the curtain falls.
Theatre should always be an invitation into something, and Joel Horwood's Sherlock Holmes invites us into an evening of entertainment, conversation and joyful mystery. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, it would pay you to catch this one.
★★★★★
By Eniola Edusi
Sherlock Holmes is showing at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 6th June
