A Novel Adaptation - 2024 Update

Previously in this blog, I have pitted the various dramatisations of the four Sherlock Holmes novels – ‘A Study in Scarlet’, ‘The Sign of Four’, ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ and ‘The Valley of Fear’ – against each other by medium. Since my original posts (in 2021 and 2022), I have experienced ten more such dramatisations, and so am posting what may become an annual update.

 

‘A STUDY IN SCARLET’

No further full dramatisations, but the first episode of podcast ‘Sherlock & Co’ utilises the first two chapters.

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

‘THE SIGN OF FOUR’

Four further dramatisations across three different media (bringing the total to 24). The first (in 2021) was an online dramatisation on Facebook Live by Jonathan Goodwin (Don't Go Into The Cellar Theatre Company), which has since been produced in person around the country.

The second (also in 2021) was ’The Sign of Mary’, an episode of the anime series ‘Moriarty the Patriot’ based on a successful manga, featuring (in the English dub) Theo Devaney and Ryan Colt Levy as Holmes and Watson, and Elsie Lovelock as Mary. The series focuses on the ‘bad guys’ but I enjoyed this take on SIGN.

The next was a new opera from ‘Northern Opera Group’, which was the centrepiece of 2024’s ‘Leeds Opera Festival’, and was written by Lliam Paterson. Click here for my review.

Most recently, ‘Sherlock and Co’ which is a weekly drama podcast, in which a modern-day Holmes and Watson (Harry Attwell & Paul Waggott) podcast their canonical adventures. SIGN was their longest adventure yet (10 parts) and rounded out 2024. Despite going on for over six hours, the pace doesn’t let up, as it rushes to a surprising conclusion.  

 

  

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

‘THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES’

Since my original post I have seen five further stage productions of HOUND, and listened to another audio version (bringing the total to 56 versions). The first of these was an open-air production in the Clandon Wood Natural Burial Site presented by British Touring Shakespeare in 2021, and ran my previous favourite outdoors version close, without quite taking the prize. Click here for my review.

The second was an immersive dinner theatre version later in 2021 from Lost Estate, with the unwieldy title ‘The Great Murder Mystery: London’s Secret Sherlock Holmes Experience’. The food and ambience was excellent, but the dramatisation (by Gillian Greer) was just adequate.

The next stage version, a live radio play on stage from the Crime & Comedy Theatre Company, added another name to ‘actors who have played both The Doctor (in ‘Doctor Who’) and Sherlock Holmes’ – Sixth Doctor actor, Colin Baker, with Terry ‘Davros’ Molloy as his Watson. I saw the play in Redhill in 2022, but it has toured regularly since then, with other WHO guest stars appearing with them as selected venues. The adaptation was well-paced and I enjoyed myself.

The fourth stage version was one that I was due to see in person at the Barbican Centre in London in December 2022, a concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, featuring a score specially written by Neil Brand, with Mark Gatiss as Holmes and Sanjeev Bhaskar as Watson. However, I was not feeling well on the night, and so had to wait to hear it a few months later on BBC Radio 3, and then more excitingly watch a recording of it on BBC4 the next Christmas. Highly recommended if it is ever repeated (but you may be able to find it online).

The final stage version was a one-man version, again featuring Jonathan Goodwin (DGITC), seen above a Pub in Croydon. It was a good adaptation, but the loud music eminating from the main bar was a little distracting.

In early 2021, Audible followed up a previous very mediocre new adventure for Holmes and Watson, with an audio dramatisation of HOUND, now featuring Colin Salmon and Stephen Fry as our heroes, about which the least said the better. Click here for my review.  

       

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

‘THE VALLEY OF FEAR’

No further dramatisations.

Click here for up-to-date dramatisations list.

 

My favourites across each media remain the same as in my previous posts.

A Sherlockian 2025

After a year where aside from a few stage plays and the ever-dependable 'Sherlock & Co' there has been a Sherlockian drought, 2025 promises to be a Sherlockian cornucopia. Please see below for my preview of the delights to come.

 

Television

Sherlock & Daughter - Filmed in Ireland, this upcoming mystery series created by Brendan Foley, features Sherlock Holmes (David Thewlis) becoming embroiled in a malevolent conspiracy involving his archenemy Professor Moriarty (Dougray Scott), and ending up joining forces with Amelia Rojas (Blu Hunt), a young Native-American woman whose mother was recently murdered. As they work together to crack the case, Amelia also sets out to prove that the great detective is her long lost father. The series is due to air later this year on the CW Network in the US, whilst Discovery+ will air the series in the UK and Ireland.

Watson - A new US mystery drama series starring Morris Chestnut as the good Doctor, from the creators of 'Elementary', which picks up one year after Sherlock Holmes's apparent death at the hands of his archenemy Moriarty, with Watson resuming his medical practice by opening the "Holmes Clinic" in Pittsburgh to treat patients with strange and unidentifiable medical issues. Soon however, he must face his past when evidence surfaces indicating that Moriarty is still alive. The series will premiere in the US on CBS on 26th January 2025. The show will then move to its regular Sunday night time slot on 16th February 2025.  In the UK, the series will be available via Paramount +.   [Click here for trailer]

Young Sherlock Holmes - A series based on the Andrew Lane books, directed by Guy Ritchie (returning to the world of Holmes) that will be released on Amazon Prime later in 2025. The series follows a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes who becomes involved in a murder at Oxford and uncovers a conspiracy, and has recently finished filming across the UK, including Cardiff, Monmouth, Bristol, and (unsurpisingly) Oxford.  Playing Holmes is Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Tom Riddle in 'The Goblet of Fire'), with his uncle Joseph Fiennes and Natascha McElhone playing Holmes' parents, Donal Finn as Moriarty, and Max Irons as Mycroft.

Theatre

Sherlock Holmes: A New Adventure - A new stage play written by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel (who have previously adapted 'The Girl on the Train' and 'The Da Vinci Code' for the stage), and directed by Rob Ashford, that will premiere at Aviva Studios in Manchester in Autumn 2025. The play will then run in the West End and on Broadway.

Sherlock Holmes and the Hunt for Moriarty - A world premiere production from Blackeyed Theatre that will tour the UK starting in September 2025. This adaptation, by the team that has previously adapted 'The Sign of Four' and 'The Valley of Fear' follows Holmes and Watson as they race across Europe to bring Moriarty to justice. 

Sherlock Holmes And The Twelve Days Of Christmas - This Christmas-themed offering had been written by comedians, writers and actors Humphrey Ker and David Reed, who were both members of successful sketch comedy troupe The Penny Dreadfuls. Although not a musical, instead a play with songs, the most exciting news about it is that it features new songs penned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (working together for the first time in 13 years). 

(UPDATE) It has now been announced that the show will run at The Rep in Birmingham from Friday 14th November 2025 to Sunday 11th January 2026. Click here for more details.

 

Two other excellent one-man Sherlockian plays also continue to tour the world - Tim Marriott in 'Watson: The Final Problem'  (click here for tour dates) and Nigel Miles-Thomas in 'Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act'  (click here for tour dates).

 

Audio

Sherlock & Co - This amazing podcast continues its journey through the 60 canonical stories with updated modern-day versions of each of them. It also has a growing online fandom to rival that of 'Sherlock' at its height. 

The Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes Podcast - Another amazing podcast focusing on the production of the Granada series, and featuring interviews with both cast and crew.   [And they organise excellent events and produce prop replicas as well]

 UPDATED 13/02/2025

2024 Awards: Part Four - Sherlock Holmes

Theatre/Events

15) Holmes & Booth 'Solving London'  (Sarah Wise)  [2024 RLG Lecture] - Wellington Hotel, London
14) The Devil's Foot/The Solitary Cyclist [Jeremy Brett SH Podcast] - Riverside Studios

13) Sherlock: The Initiation (Escape Room) - Escape Lincoln

12) Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Fiend - Barn Theatre, Cirencester
11) Sherlock Holmes and the Sign of Four: An Opera - Leeds School of Arts, Leeds
10) Sherlock Holmes and the Strange Case of Miss Faulkner - New Wimbledon Theatre Studio
9) Hudson & Lestrade [Janet Ayers & Matt Parsons] - Groundlings Theatre, Portsea  [HolmesFest 2 2024]
8) The Sherlock Holmes Experience - Knockhatch Adventure Park
7) Selecting a Ghost  [Based on ACD Short Story] - Stanley Arts
6) The Play's The Thing [Including Cushing SECO Reconstruction & 'The Mystery of Cader Ifan'] - Midlands Art Centre

5) BBC Holmes Service [Vin Adams, Nick Downes & David Penrose] - Groundlings Theatre, Portsea  [HolmesFest 2 2024]

4) The Mind of Moriarty (Escape Room) - West 12 Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush

3) Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases [Eille Norwood] - Alexandra Palace  (BFI LFF 2024)

2) BRETT CON 2024 [Jeremy Brett SH Podcast] - Guildford County School

1) Sherlock Holmes and the Poisonwood - Watermill Theatre, Newbury

 

Sojourns

10) Birmingham
9) Sussex Downs
8) Kent/Sussex
7) Sherlockian Theatres (1 & 2)
6) Sidney Paget
5) Bristol
4) Greater Manchester
3) Watlington
2) Belvoir Castle & Flintham Hall
1) The Peak District - Part 2

 

 

Video/Audio

3) Sherlock Holmes Short Stories (Read by Hugh Bonneville) - BBC Sounds  

2) 'Fogtown: Mystery of the Moth Napper'  [TV Pilot]  (click here to view)

1) 'Sherlock & Co'  [Podcast series]   (click here to listen)   [currently up to 23 of the 60 canonical stories, told over 65 episodes so far]

Aside from on-stage, not much new Sherlockiana. However, next year will be very different. Click here for my 2025 Sherlockian preview.

2024 Awards - Part Three: 'Doctor Who'

TV Stories

10) Space Babies
9) Empire of Death
8) The Devil's Chord
7) The Legend of Ruby Sunday
6) Joy To The World
5) 73 Yards
4) Tales of the TARDIS: Pyramids of Mars
3) Dot and Bubble
2) Boom
1) Rogue

Big Finish

10) 'The Last Day'
9) 'Dark Gallifrey: The War Master 1-3'
8) 'Classic Doctors, New Monsters 4: Broken Memories'
7) 'The Trials of a Time Lord'
6) 'Once and Future: Coda - The Final Act'
5) 'Deathworld'
4) 'The Quin Dilemma'
3) 'The Stuff of Legend'
2) 'Goth Opera'
1) 'The Paternoster Gang: The Casebook of Paternoster Row'

Events

4) January Signing Spectacular (Fantom Films) - St, Michael's Hall, Chiswick

3) Richard E. Grant (Wimbledon Book Festival) - Wimbledon High School

2) Target Novels Signing (Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, James Goss, Mark Morris, Gary Russell) - Forbidden Planet, London

1) DW: The Stuff of Legend - Cadogan Hall 

 

Merchandise

5) 'The Adventures Before' Anthology

4) Fifteenth Doctor Target Novelisations

3) 'Emperor Davros' Action Figure

2) Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Vortex Action Figures

1) 'DW: The Collection - Season 25' Blu-Ray

2024 Awards - Part Two: TV & Film

TV

15) Joan

14) Daddy Issues

13) Wreck - Series 2

12) Rivals

11) The Traitors - Series 2

10) Agatha All Along

9) Time - Series 2

8) Race Across The World

7) Taskmaster

6) Douglas Is Cancelled

5) Nightsleeper

4) A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

3) Extraordinary - Series 2

2) Only Murders In The Building - Series 4

1) Ludwig

 

Films

8) Seize Them!
7) The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee
6) Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
5) Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
4) Paddington in Peru
3) Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
2) Wicked
1) Deadpool and Wolverine

 

2024 Awards - Part One: Theatre

Plays

15) Cluedo 2 - Richmond Theatre
14) The Hills of California - Harold Pinter Theatre
13) Houdini's Greatest Escape - King's Head Theatre
12) Murder In The Dark - Richmond Theatre
11) The Ballad of Hattie & James - Kiln Theatre
10) The Cabinet Minister - Menier Chocolate Factory
9) Fawlty Towers - Apollo Theatre
8) Drop The Dead Donkey - Richmond Theatre
7) The Lehman Trilogy - Gillian Lynne Theatre
6) Nachtland - Young Vic
5) The Duchess - Trafalgar Theatre
4) Oedipus - Wyndhams Theatre
3) Dr. Strangelove - Noel Coward Theatre
2) A Mirror - Trafalgar Studios
1) The Motive & The Cue - Noel Coward Theatre

Musicals

15) The Wizard of Oz - New Wimbledon Theatre
14) Bronco Billy - Charing Cross Theatre
13) Standing At The Sky's Edge - Gillian Lynne Theatre
12) One Man Musical - Soho Theatre
11) Romy & Michelle: The Musical (WIP) - Turbine Theatre
10) Why Am I So Single ? - Garrick Theatre
9) Hadestown - Lyric Theatre
8) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Ambassadors Theatre
7) I Should Be So Lucky - New Wimbledon Theatre
6) Cruel Intentions - The Other Palace
5) Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist - The Other Palace
4) Fangirls - Lyric Hammersmith
3) Mean Girls - Savoy Theatre
2) Becoming Nancy - Birmingham Repertory Theatre
1) Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder ! - Ambassadors Theatre

Magic

3) Jamie Allan's Amaze - Marylebone Theatre
2) A Grand Night of Magic - Clapham Grand
1) Asi Wind: Incredibly Human - Underbelly Boulevard

 

Pantomimes

2) Robin Hood - London Palladium
1) Peter Pan - London Palladium

Sherlockian Sojourns #71: ‘Off Up To Birmingham’ [STOC/3GAR]

Having arranged to travel to Birmingham for a theatre show, I decided to visit the sites relating to two canonical fake businesses – ‘the Franco-Midland Hardware Company’ from ‘The Stockbroker’s Clerk’ and ‘Howard Garrideb Agricultural Machinery’ from ‘The Three Garridebs’. Birmingham has many buildings dating from the Victorian period, but unfortunately, none of the places seen by Holmes and Watson have survived.

Catching an early train from London Euston, arriving at Birmingham New Street a couple of hours later. This is the station where Holmes and Watson would have arrived in Birmingham accompanying Hall Pycroft  [STOC]. However, the station was completely rebuilt in 1960, meaning that none of the station seen by them is still visible. Regardless, I took a few photos.

  

 ‘It was not, however, until we were in a first-class carriage and well started upon our journey to Birmingham that I was able to learn what the trouble was which had driven Mr. Hall Pycroft to Sherlock Holmes’.  [STOC]

 

Exiting the Station, just across the road was the Macdonald Burlington Hotel (formerly The Midland Hotel), the most likely location for the hotel where Hall Pycroft stayed whilst working in Birmingham.

 

‘I was off to Birmingham in a train that would take me in plenty time for my appointment. I took my things to a hotel in New Street, and then I made my way to the address which had been given me’.   [STOC]

 

It was then time for a non-canonical detour. A ten minute walk brought me to Sherlock Street, which was undergoing massive renovation. It was difficult to identify, but #115 is named Doctor Watson House, but was under so much scaffolding that this name plate could not be seen.

Retracing my steps to New Street, I reached the corner with my next port of call, Corporation Street. This was previously named Queen’s Corner, after the visit of Queen Victoria in 1887 (a year before Holmes and Watson visited).

   

Walking along Corporation Street, I finally reached a large roundabout, which now takes the place of 126B Corporation Street, the address, where the ‘Franco-Midland Hardware Company’ had its temporary premises. The property, was demolished to make way for the roundabout in the 1960s.

“ ‘Be in Birmingham to-morrow at one’, said Mr. Pinner. ‘I have a note in my pocket here which you will take to my brother. You will find him at 126B Corporation Street, where the temporary offices of the company are situated’.“    [STOC]

‘126B was a passage between two large shops, which led to a winding stone stair, from which there were many flats, let as offices to companies or professional men’.   [STOC]

 

The middle of the roundabout is Old Square, and features a sculpture to the comedian, Tony Hancock, who was born in Hall Green, Birmingham, on 12 May 1924. Appropriately the Square is the former home of the Birmingham Blood Transfusion Service  ['A Pint ?  That's very nearly an armful !'] . The sculpture was unveiled by Sir Harry Secombe in 1996. It has since been moved a few yards, to the centre of Old Square. Unfortunately, I have no record of Hancock ever playing Holmes.

I then caught a bus from a nearby stop to Aston Station. It was to this part of Birmingham that the unlucky Nathan Garrideb was sent on a fools errand, based on a fake advertisement.  [3GAR]  Garrideb presented at Grosvenor Buildings, which no longer exists (and may not even have ever existed), but Grosvenor Road still does. I therefore took a photo of the most likely building.

 

     

‘Howard Garrideb Constructor of Agricultural Machinery, Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills, harrows, farmers’ carts, buckboards, and all other appliances. Estimates for Artesian Wells. Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston’    [3GAR]

 

Catching a bus back into central Birmingham, (passing the site of Conan Doyle’s practice with Dr. Reginald Ratcliff Hoare which I had visited previously) I had around an hour-and-a-half to waste before my theatre performance, which I spent in visiting a few nearby shops and having some lunch. My walk to the theatre led me past two points of interest. Firstly, Victoria Square, with its statue of Queen Victoria, sculpted by Thomas Brock, originally in marble then later recast in bronze. The Square was in process of being set up for Christmas Markets. Secondly, just up from the theatre, Baskerville House, actually named for John Baskerville, a local printer and type designer who was responsible for inventing "wove paper", which was considerably smoother than "laid paper", allowing for sharper printing results, which is the library for University College Birmingham.

 

Entering the theatre, in plenty of time for the matinee performance of ‘Becoming Nancy’, I had an enjoyable afternoon. I then made my way back to Birmingham New Street and my train home to London.