‘Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2b.’ Written by Kate Hamill. Directed by Rebecca Bradshaw. Set Design by Kristin Loeffler; Costume Design by Chelsea Kerl; Lighting Design by Deb Sullivan; Sound Design by Julian Crocamo. Presented by Gloucester Stage, 267 East Main St., Gloucester, through September 27.
By Shelley A. Sackett
Playwright and actor Kate Hamill, known for putting a feminist spin on adaptations of classic literature, turns her droll pen on the iconic partnership of Detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in the hit-and-miss Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2b, in production at Gloucester Stage through September 27. While set design (Kristin Loeffler), crisp direction (Rebecca Bradshaw), and a captivating Eryn O’Sullivan as Holmes dull the play’s dull edges, its 2-hour, 45-minute (one intermission) length at last Sunday’s matinee was as unwarranted as it was irritating.
Part of the problem is an overly convoluted plot, as fun as a witty crossword puzzle in Act I but as opaque as thick London fog in Act II. Stephen Shore (skillful in his many roles) sets the mood and issues a warning at the play’s start. Clad in top hat, black cape and spotlighted by a bulb that briefly sears the audience’s retinas, he issues this understatement: “Not every question can be answered. Not every piece will fit.”
We are immediately introduced to Holmes, a self-named “deductive consultant,” who is not weathering the 2021 COVID lockdown well. She is bored, in need of a juicy case to keep her juices flowing. To pass the time, she smokes pot and complains. “What is day when all is night?” she whines to her landlady, played by a comical Grace Experience (who also shows up in a number of other roles).
As Holmes, O’Sullivan does everything but literally chew the scenery. (She did the same as Rosaline in Lanes Coven Theater’s Love’s Labour’s Lost this summer). Lithe and melodramatic, she bounces from yoga pretzel pose to wielding an epée in seconds. Her cadence and enunciation are as musical as they are clear, a welcome delight and relief.
Right out of the gate, the play is funny, corny, eccentric and vaudevillian.
Enter Watson (a miscast, misdirected or both Breezy Leigh), a potential flat-mate for Holmes. Watson is an American whose baggage is heavier than the single suitcase she carries. Defensive, shrill, lumpy and clearly fleeing whatever propelled her over the pond, she is the perfect foil to Holmes’ manic verbal and physical acrobatics. When Inspector Lestrade (Shore) shows up with a case for Holmes to solve, she convinces Watson to join her.
Notwithstanding its length, near-impenetrable multiple plot twists and contortions, a creepily prescient (this was written in 2021) Elon Musk-like character, and gratuitous references to Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” there is more than just O’Sullivan’s performance to enjoy. Director Bradshaw makes effective use of doors as characters continually enter and depart, and does her best to keep up the pace. Hamill has many clever, pithy one-liners and Shore and Experience plainly enjoy hamming it up in their multiple roles. If you’re a Sir Conan Doyle and/or Kate Hamill fan, or just looking for a pleasant diversion, this might just be your cuppa tea.
For more information, visit gloucesterstage.com/
Yes! Shelley hits the nail on its head (and its butt).