★★★✰✰
When Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear hits its stride, it is wholly engaging: it is the moments in between these gripping episodes where the trouble lies and the mind wanders.
The scene is set, and ever so shockingly, it’s not 221B Baker Street (well… not to begin with). Wrongfooting the audience from the very start, the story flips between the trusty backdrop of Victorian London to the bleak Pennsylvanian Vermissa Valley. A mysterious coded message is delivered, and in true Sherlock fashion, Holmes and Watson unravel the clues down the treacherous path which lies ahead of them. The game is afoot!
Whilst Luke Barton and Joseph Derrington deliver admirable performances as Holmes and Watson respectively, it is the supporting cast who truly shine in this piece. Dipping in and out of multiple accents in turn as they prove their multiroling capabilities, the ensemble keep the production lively and engaging. In particular, Blake Kubena delivers a standout performance with an unmatched presence that elevates his scenes.
Somewhat disappointingly, this adaptation lacks the spark of Sherlockian magic which separates Conan-Doyle’s stories from those of his contemporaries. Conversations that should feel like a game of hot-potatoes lack the snappy pacing which should keep the piece alive, and as such conversations between Sherlock and Watson can sometimes feel a little stale. The slow pacing of the deductions also mean they fall short of wowing in the way they should.
That said, there is much about the piece to enjoy. The set – a wooden framework lavishly decorated with Morris-style wallpaper – is transformed from scene to scene by well-thought out staging combined with clever use of props and soundscapes: the constantly revolving settings of London and America are entirely convincing. It is especially impressive that Blackeyed Theatre have made this work around the limitations posed by a static touring set. Additionally, the lighting is simplistic but effective, often used to enhance the tension convincingly.
In contrast, the musical choices do not always compliment the scenes in which they feature. When timed correctly, the use of music wonderfully heightens the atmosphere, but more often than not it is incredibly distracting. Most jarring is a scene in which a young woman is encouraged to flee town for her own safety, the urgency of which is lessened by the plucky country-esque guitar playing in the background.
Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear offers moments of gripping and engaging theatre peppered with some slightly lacklustre scenes, making for an enjoyable, if inconsistent, night at the theatre.
Words by Kate Padley
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