Originally performed at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in 2022 (where it is returning later this year), this is on the surface an adaptation of the first Sherlock Holmes novel, ‘A Study in Scarlet’. However, it is far more complicated than that, the play is set in a blasted world, where two survivors – an actor and a doctor – pass the time by staging the actor’s favourite story salvaged from the flames, ‘ASIS’. As the play continues, and tensions arise around casting, more than just dead bodies with ketchup as blood start to surface.
Somewhere in the middle of this 70 minute play is a wonderful 45 minute dramatisation of the novel, which manages to hit all the plot points brilliantly. However, what about the framing action ? I enjoyed this very much as well, with the slowly building tensions being excellent, even if the sometimes strong language moved the play out of the arena of ‘family friendly’.
The Roman Theatre in St. Albans where the play was appearing as part of their Open Air Theatre Festival, prior to its return to Pitlochry, was a wonderfully intimate space, and all the audience were almost on top of the two actors. Appearing as Harry (the actor) was Deidre Davis, who for around half of the play played both Holmes & Watson, being ably assisted by Ben Stock as Ash (the doctor). Both were excellent, both in the play within a play and in the surrounding discussions, building to a moving climax.
Highly recommended.
Rating:
(5/5)
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