Disclosure: Writer’s family member has a small role in the play.
Sherlock Holmes and the First Baker Street Irregular, written by Brian Guehring, is a funny take on a conglomerate of Sherlock Holmes short stories and novels written by Arthur Conan Doyle that feature Baker Street Irregulars, or street kids that work as Holmes’ eyes and ears on the streets of London.
Fourteen-year-old Zahra Somerville-Borowski shines as Wiggins, the head of the group of street children trying to survive in London. Unbeknownst to her, she pickpockets one none other than Sherlock Holmes, which begins a partnership that carries through the entirety of the play.
What follows are several unrelated events that involve the Baker Street Irregulars, who prove their wits in helping Holmes obtain information to crack cases.
The play, which includes a sizable youth cast, is funny, quick, and family-friendly.
Jim Ditto fits the part of Sherlock Holmes, the man who is one step ahead of Wiggins in solving cases, but not in obtaining information. Aaron Bowers stars as Watson, the soft-spoken confidant who helps Wiggins get the job as Holmes’ apprentice.
Melody Langan and Amelia Evans, who starred in LBHS’ production of Mamma Mia!, return for cameo roles. Asher Fisher and Rowan Kelley, who starred in the Merc’s production of Beauty and the Beast, play Wiggins’ accomplices. Bill Bley, who will direct the Methow Valley Theater’s production of Sound of Music this spring, is also part of the supporting cast.
For others, like Jenny Harding, who plays Catherine, it was their first ever performance on stage.
Director Phil Quevillon said the play was chosen by a 12-person community group, three of whom work for the theater or sit on the Merc Board. The group read dozens of plays to choose a program two seasons in advance.
“If we can begin with a director attached, then the Merc board will likely approve the proposal of a play,” said Quevillon. “This play fit my work season as a landscaper [and that] is the actual reason I agreed to direct it. I have no prior experience with Sherlock Holmes.”
Quevillon plans ahead for finding actors and even does some recruiting.
“The audition process is then up to the director. It’s almost always open auditions, unless you need specific people, then we recruit (for no pay of course). I needed a ‘tomboy’ and a ‘red headed man’. I only was able to find one of those and had to cast a few women in men parts because of our demographic turn out for auditions. You take the ingredients you can find locally and hope it stays in good taste.”
Fortunately, with the breadth of talent in the valley, every character fit the part.
Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregular opens tonight and runs through Dec. 15. A Pay-What-You-Can performance is on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7 pm. To purchase tickets in advance, visit https://www.mercplayhouse.org/current-ticket-sales.html
Great synopsis of a very entertaining play. Love to see all the local talent!