reviewvancouver: Holmes & Watson Save the Empire

There have been numerous interpretations, mostly in film and TV, of Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional characters, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. But this 1.5 hour musical spoof conceived by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner is quite innovative and original. The opening scenes have more to do with vaudeville than musical theatre, with Chris Robson playing multiple roles (Freddy Fish, Professor Moriarty, Pianist and Tour Director), Gordon Roberts (Watson) and Damon Calderwood (Holmes) getting into song-and-dance routines.

Beecham and Hillgartner’s tunes are entertaining, and the actors deliver the songs quite well. Renée Cook on violin provide support for Roberts and Calderwood’s well-blended voices. I most enjoyed the scene when when they appear in Arabian robes smoking hashish in water pipes, and doing a song and dance routine.

The show ended appropriately with a duet “My True friend” expressing the lasting friendship of this duo.