A brand new Sherlock Holmes adventure, Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty, makes its world premiere at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre from 26 to 28 February.
The production, created by the team behind Blackeyed Theatre’s acclaimed stagings of The Sign of Four and The Valley of Fear, forms part of a major UK tour.
Set in London in 1901, the story follows a series of mysterious events that expose cracks in the British Empire’s corridors of power. As tensions rise, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson find themselves entangled in a dangerous game involving figures from their past and the shadowy threat of Professor Moriarty.
Powerful performances, an atmospheric soundscape and inventive staging bring the story to life. The narrative draws on several Conan Doyle short stories, including The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Adventure of the Second Stain and The Final Problem, weaving them into a single thrilling spy adventure.
The cast features Mark Knightley as Sherlock Holmes, Ben Owora as Doctor Watson, Pippa Caddick as Irene Adler and Mrs Hudson, Gavin Molloy as Professor Moriarty and Inspector Lestrade, Robbie Capaldi as Sir James DeWilde and Eliot Giuralarocca as Mycroft Holmes.
The production is adapted and directed by Nick Lane with original music by Tristan Parkes. The creative team also includes Rob Myles as Fight Director, Victoria Spearing as Set Designer, Madeleine Edis as Costume Designer and Oliver Welsh as Lighting Designer.
Nick Lane says: “After working with Blackeyed on two previous adaptations of Conan Doyle novels (The Sign of Four and The Valley of Fear) it was really exciting to be asked back to create something a little different for our third Holmes collaboration. We’ve pulled together a handful of the wonderful short stories – ‘adventures’, as Conan Doyle entitles them – and interwoven them into one singular, thrilling tale featuring Holmes’ most feared, but little-seen, adversary Professor Moriarty. It’s been fun capturing the pace, spirit and character of Doyle’s original adventures, and our hope is that, like the stories themselves, The Hunt for Moriarty will keep audiences gripped – and guessing – along with the great detective himself, right to the last.”
Artistic Director of Blackeyed Theatre, Adrian McDougall says: “There is something wonderfully comforting about Sherlock Holmes and the world of 221B Baker Street, and we’re once again revelling in the opportunity to bring that world to life for our audiences. We have a brilliant team of artists involved and I know their love and passion for the original Holmes stories will shine through this production, while allowing audiences to discover things that are new and exciting. As always, I’m proud that we’re bucking the trend in taking high quality, mid-scale theatre to all corners of the country”.
Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty is produced by Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park Arts Centre and Theatre Royal Winchester as part of Play to the Crowd.
The show runs at the Stephen Joseph Theatre at 1.30pm and 7.30pm on Thursday 26 February, 7.30pm on Friday 27 February and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 28 February. Tickets are available via the box office and online.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
