Spring Break
Sherlock Holmes leaves one mystery unsolved
Jessie Burche
Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 1
Sherlock Holmes faces more than adventure, mystery and his arch nemesis in "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure."He also comes face to face with love.
"Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" is written by Steven Dietz and is a combination of two of Arthur Conan Doyle's books. This play is exactly what it says it is; it's the famous detective's last hurrah.
Sherlock Holmes, played by Mark Robbins, is much more amusing than I ever imagined him. At every turn he has a witty comeback. Watson and Holmes often banter with each other in a way that is reminiscent of Monty Python. It's not just the English accents - these guys are actually funny.
The frenetic dialogue and action keep the play moving fast. In fact, this is only fault I found in the production. Sometimes the characters speak over each other so much that I can't understand what's being said.
The costumes are beautiful as they always are at Kansas City Repertory Theatre productions. The play is set in the Victorian era so the women wear long, gorgeous gowns and the men are clothed in suits most women couldn't pay their husbands/boyfriends to wear.
I wanted to take Holmes' robe that he sweeps around in while thinking in his study. But this isn't the only thing Sherlock Holmes has that I want. Even though his character is fictional, no one can fail to be amazed at his brainpower.
The most outrageous character in the play was the King of Bohemia (Preston Maybank). Not only did his accent switch back and forth between that of an eastern European and a Frenchman, he also makes really silly noises when he gets upset.
The comedy, dear reader, is elementary - but it works.
Sherlock Holmes finds a partner in adventuring in this final play. Irene Adler (Carey Cannon) helps Holmes get back at his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Laurence Ballard). Adler is spirited as far as Victorian women go and deliver gems such as "a woman…can never be solved."
Holmes struggles against his love for Adler; he even starts out believing things like love are just extras in life. Of course there is a nice love story in the end.
The set was really interesting. Sherlock Holmes' study moved forward and backward as the scene called for, but was almost always able to be seen. Antique lamps adorned the set and a stained glass window even dropped in for a moment during a church scene.
"Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" is a delightful and amusing production. The best- known detective in fiction struggles with his enemy, with a mystery, and with love. Of course, the biggest mystery of all comes at the end of the play. Is this really the last we'll see of Sherlock Holmes?
jburche@unews.com
"Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" is written by Steven Dietz and is a combination of two of Arthur Conan Doyle's books. This play is exactly what it says it is; it's the famous detective's last hurrah.
Sherlock Holmes, played by Mark Robbins, is much more amusing than I ever imagined him. At every turn he has a witty comeback. Watson and Holmes often banter with each other in a way that is reminiscent of Monty Python. It's not just the English accents - these guys are actually funny.
The frenetic dialogue and action keep the play moving fast. In fact, this is only fault I found in the production. Sometimes the characters speak over each other so much that I can't understand what's being said.
The costumes are beautiful as they always are at Kansas City Repertory Theatre productions. The play is set in the Victorian era so the women wear long, gorgeous gowns and the men are clothed in suits most women couldn't pay their husbands/boyfriends to wear.
I wanted to take Holmes' robe that he sweeps around in while thinking in his study. But this isn't the only thing Sherlock Holmes has that I want. Even though his character is fictional, no one can fail to be amazed at his brainpower.
The most outrageous character in the play was the King of Bohemia (Preston Maybank). Not only did his accent switch back and forth between that of an eastern European and a Frenchman, he also makes really silly noises when he gets upset.
The comedy, dear reader, is elementary - but it works.
Sherlock Holmes finds a partner in adventuring in this final play. Irene Adler (Carey Cannon) helps Holmes get back at his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Laurence Ballard). Adler is spirited as far as Victorian women go and deliver gems such as "a woman…can never be solved."
Holmes struggles against his love for Adler; he even starts out believing things like love are just extras in life. Of course there is a nice love story in the end.
The set was really interesting. Sherlock Holmes' study moved forward and backward as the scene called for, but was almost always able to be seen. Antique lamps adorned the set and a stained glass window even dropped in for a moment during a church scene.
"Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" is a delightful and amusing production. The best- known detective in fiction struggles with his enemy, with a mystery, and with love. Of course, the biggest mystery of all comes at the end of the play. Is this really the last we'll see of Sherlock Holmes?
jburche@unews.com
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