For 138 years, Sherlock Holmes has become more of a genre than the singular character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The quick-witted Brit, whose intellect and deductive reasoning cracks the most complex cases, has been recreated in a multitude of mediums — from television shows like “House,” “Monk” and the eponymous “Sherlock,” to movies like “Limitless.” Their deductive characters are as integral to pop culture as superheroes and heist movies.
On Jan. 28, the Red Barn Theatre hosted its opening night for “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Apt. 2B,” by playwright Kate Hamill. The story offers a fun and lighthearted twist on Conan Doyle’s popular detective series.
The play follows Ms. Holmes and her trusty assistant — well, roommate — Ms. Watson, in a misadventure around London, solving mysteries of murder and blackmail, with twists at every turn. Watson’s ironic phobia of mortal violence adds to the entertainment.
The show stars Susannah Wells and Mariah Woessner as the dynamic crime-solving duo. The pair radiates energy as they perform and often elicit cheers and out-loud laughs from the audience. Wells, who plays Sherlock “Sherley” Holmes, enunciates every syllable of her complicated dialogue with ease, an impressive feat for a two-hour show. Woessner, who plays Watson, displays such physicality, it’s hard to believe she has the breath to speak her lines without breaking a sweat.
Unlike more serious plays that insist upon highbrow drama, this one uses its intimate nature to its advantage, with hilarious interruptions from narrators and stagehands. The script acknowledges that it’s a Sherlock Holmes play and uses that awareness to poke fun at itself.
Honorable mentions include Arthur Crocker and Morgan Fraga Peirson, whose versatility in roles throughout the show is an achievement in itself. Their impressive switches among multiple characters in back-to-back scenes without issue are a testament to the hard work they put into learning their roles, as well as to the set managers who surely had their hands full prepping props and costumes.
The audience was enthusiastic and engaged throughout the performance, with the constant laughs and claps at times forcing the cast to pause briefly before delivering the next lines. Directed by the Red Barn Theatre’s founding member Mimi McDonald, “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, 2B” is a treat from start to finish. Shows are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Feb. 22. For tickets and information, visit redbarntheatre.com.
