Can The Good Detective Get Outwitted??

A New Holmes Story

A delicious new Sherlock Holmes mystery is in residence at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the Lake through October 13th. It is full of twists and turns, as well as having philosophical, psychological and feminist overtones, all of which are in addition to being just downright entertaining. The almost three hours flew by in this riveting story that will keep you glued to your seat throughout.

While it is a crackerjack mystery play, it also provides some tongue-in-cheek, wink-wink comedic moments, is hilarious at times, and is a study in relationships and friendship between different characters. All of the elements meld together to form a cohesive whole.

The Famous Duo

Our hero, Sherlock (Damien Atkins), is generally speaking in a very bad mood. He does not suffer fools gladly, or at all really. Since he considers almost everyone else a fool, this makes for a very angry and dismissive Sherlock. His friend, Dr. Watson (Ric Reid), who is of a kinder and gentler nature, takes him to task for the way he has treated several clients, and they argue about truth vs. kindness, as if the two were mutually exclusive. This theme will be repeated several times throughout the play. 

As to the plot, a human heart has been found in a park. Scotland Yard, in the person of Inspector Lestrade (Sanjay Talwar) and his sister Amelia (Rais Clarke-Mendes), want Holmes’ opinion. So begins the search for the perpetrator. More hearts turn up and the search becomes more frantic for this vicious serial killer. No spoilers here, so that is all that will be said plot-wise.

Mr. Atkins performance is nuanced, showing the brainy side of Holmes, as well as his social awkwardness and impatience, bordering on disdain, with others. In addition, his rapid speech and movements, sarcastic wit, and obvious glee at having a serious crime to solve all work together to form the complex character that is Sherlock Holmes.

Ric Reid is an older and wiser Dr. Watson. He acts as a counterpoint to Sherlock – patience vs. edginess, compassion vs. callousness. Mr. Reid is like a big teddy bear with a keen eye and the ability to suss out what is needed in a given situation. 

Sochi Fried as Mrs. Hudson (in the performance I saw), Rais Clarke-Mendes as Amelia Lastrade, and Nehassaiu deGannes as the hysterically funny coroner, Mrs. Allstrud, form a triad of strong women who understand the frailties of the male sex and are amused by them. They more than hold their own with the men.

The costumes are 19th Century, as are the sets. While it took a bit of time to change the sets, it was done in a rhythmic and graceful manner. There was also a lull in Act Two during a lengthy dialogue between two characters. What was said could have been said more succinctly in a shorter time.

Classic Story With Modern Sensibility

Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart is a 19th Century story with 21st Century sensibilities. The human heart is a puzzle to most, if not all, humans. Why we feel what we feel, think the way we think, and act the way we act have been studied by thousands through the ages. While our physical hearts may no longer be a mystery, our ethereal hearts remain so, and while there is no deep psychological meaning in the play, touching upon this theme adds to the enjoyment of it. 

Holmes tells Watson that he looks but does not see. Do we?