Writer(s): Bert Coules & Tim Marriott
Narrator/Holmes & Watson: Tim Marriott
Summary: A new Sherlockian play by Bert Coules, Head Writer on the BBC Radio 4 complete Canon
starring Clive Merrison and the follow-up 'The Further Adventures of
Sherlock Holmes', written in conjunction with its star, Tim Marriott
(best known for 'The Brittas Empire'). A one-man Watson-focused piece, focusing on Reichenbach and what came before.
The original intention was to perform 'Watson: The Final Problem'
on stage in Autumn 2020 and on tour in 2021, but in the current
circumstances instead a radio-style recording was made in isolation
to help develop the project and keep the creatives busy in lockdown. In true Sherlock Homes style,
ingeniously improvising with home equipment, Tim Marriott recorded the
script in a makeshift home studio made with a microphone and laptop
under a duvet held up by a kitchen chair; Clive Whitburn created the
score in his garden shed; and Bert Coules drew on all his past BBC
experience to stitch the piece together using only the electronic
equivalent of a razor blade, splicing tape, and a collection of
improvised sound effects. The full audio recording is at: www.smokescreenprods.com for free, but with donations requested. [The play was due to play a one night date at Grove Theatre,
Eastbourne on 12th December 2020, but this was also cancelled]
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this, with a tour-de-force performance by Marriott, and an excellent script by Coules and its star. I recognised several parts from Coules' previous 1992 'The Final Problem' adaptation (Michael Williams' favourite), but that only added to my enjoyment. It also effectively looked at how the events of Reichenbach affected the man left behind. Excellent sound effects and music also, and its being recorded in lockdown was not in evidence at all. In different times, I wouldn't have been able to stay away from the planned Eastbourne date (particularly as it would have fitted in perfectly with a planned 'Sherlockian Sojourn').
Rating: 
(5/5)
Link to audio: 'Watson: The Final Problem'
W-TFP now makes its world stage premiere as part of 2021's Brighton Fringe, between 12-17 June 2021.
ReplyDeleteBooking is now open and there are full details and a video trailer at https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/watson-the-final-problem-153426/?fbclid=IwAR02vokcBzn2xHQaNTfnW82VrTVMO1-W2l3T0QwBkL4n3rqNUiWtk7NMhSQ