Birmingham Rep has announced key casting for the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas, a new play with songs by Humphrey Ker and David Reed, featuring original music by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The production runs from 14 November 2025 to 11 January 2026.
Co-writers Humphrey Ker and David Reed will take on the iconic roles of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson respectively.
They are joined by award-winning comedian John Kearns as Inspector Lestrade and comedy actress and podcaster Margaret Cabourn-Smith.
Further casting will be announced in due course.
Humphrey Ker said: “As diehard Sherlock Holmes fans, Dave and I are absolutely delighted to have tricked the Birmingham Rep into allowing us to write and star in a wildly silly Holmes and Watson adventure. And to do it with such beloved friends and collaborators in Margaret, John, Tim, Andrew and directing superstar Phillip Breen is the stuff of dreams. Can’t wait to don the deerstalker and BECOME Sherlock Holmes.”
David Reed added: “Humphrey and I have been obsessed with the characters of Holmes and Watson ever since we met on a stage in Edinburgh some 20 years ago. We pastiched them in our first radio series The Brothers Faversham and crowbarred them into our turns on BBC Two improvised sketch show Fast & Loose. To now get to play them in earnest is quite honestly a dream come true. And to be joined by the cosmic comedic talents of Margaret Cabourn-Smith and John Kearns as Mrs Hudson and Lestrade is preposterous good fortune. I can’t quite believe it’s real, but barring being framed for a series of genuine murders and having to become fugitives from the law, it appears to be actually happening. I’m pinching myself daily. Incredibly exciting.”
Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas will be directed by Phillip Breen with Becky Hope-Palmer.
The creative team includes Mark Bailey (Designer), Anna Watson (Lighting Designer), Georgina Lamb (Movement), Renny Krupinski (Fights), and Helena Palmer (Casting).
Set in Victorian London, the play follows Holmes as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths in the West End, all seemingly linked to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.
With French Hens in peril and Gold Rings vanishing, Holmes must race against time to solve the case and save Christmas.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
