
The current “Occupy” climate of rich-poor polarity would ring all too true for modern Americans, and Scrooge’s “Are there no prisons? No workhouses?” talking points could be pulled straight from the teleprompters at FOX News. Ironically, while Artists Rep and Stumptown Stages opt for adventurous Carol variations and PCS continues to favor Midwest moppet Ralphie, 2011 would’ve been a prime season to stage the original Dickens tale. This kind of creative choice, intended to “shake up” cliches, also runs the risk of messing up tried-and-true classics.

The stand-in for Bob Cratchit is Doctor Watson, and as for Tiny Tim: there isn’t one. In Seattle playwright John Longenbaugh’s rewrite of the Dickens classic, the great London detective paces his smoke-stained flat in his elegant brocade dressing-gown, then gets a moral come-uppance from the requisite three ghosts and a host.

Now, Artists Repertory Theatre offers another substitute for Scrooge: Mr. This time last year, when A Christmas Story bumped A Christmas Carol from the PCS main stage, Culturephile ran through the relative merits of Scrooge v Ralphie. However, those expecting a pleasurable night out in the company of this master detective and his loyal sidekick will be sorely disappointed by this forgettable outing of Sherlock's Last Case.In Artist Rep’s rendition, Sherlock = Scrooge and Watson = Bob Cratchit. Landwher's set also includes a spooky second locale, totally different and magically retractable as needed. The work of the designers is the most memorable aspect of the show, especially Hugh Landwehr's re-creation of Holmes's lodgings at 221B Baker Street and Fabio Toblini's period costumes. The matter-of-fact emotional reactions from the actors are as languid as the pacing. Aitken, who delivered such spot-on direction for the Huntington production of Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps, here hews to a conventional approach rather than pumping up the suspense. Collins and Zeisler get the outlines right for Holmes and Watson, but never risk bringing their own distinctive touches to these iconic roles. Ridley and Robinson come off best, the former conveying the housekeeper's antic but fraying loyalty, the latter exuding youthful charm as Liza Moriarty. The acting ensemble is good enough, but watching them play these beloved characters is not as satisfying as reading about them. When there are laughs, based mainly on the audience's recognition of past exploits by Holmes, or references to his highly developed narcissist personality, they are dropped in but unconnected to the action. The long, slow build-up to the surprise turn of events at the end of Act 1 opens the show, bookended by an overstuffed countdown to the final curtain.
#REVIEW SHERLOCK OVERCOAT MAGNOLI PLUS#
Marowitz has structured the work as a 19th-century "well-made play," depending on a series of significant letters, plus amazing coincidences that move the plot along. The characters are saddled with long stretches of exposition in the form of heartfelt monologues to each other, but meant to recall background information. One major problem with this revival is the script itself, which reads better than it plays. Hudson, Holmes's loyal housekeeper (Jane Ridley), and the bumbling Inspector Lestrade (Malcolm Ingram), determined to protect him. The cast of characters is completed by Mrs. The pot is stirred by the arrival of the lovely Liza Moriarty (Antoinette Robinson), who fears for the rage of her twin brother, not to mention Holmes's safety. In true Holmes fashion, Watson's opinions are run over as "elementary" while the detective determines his response. Watson (Mark Zeisler), looks on, worries, and offers his advice. Through a series of hand-delivered letters, the son threatens the life of Holmes (Rufus Collins), while his partner, the devoted Dr. The play revolves around the appearance of two children, previously unknown, fathered by arch villain Professor Moriarty, whom Holmes vanquished when they fell over a waterfall. This is not your usual Sherlock Holmes mystery, however closely Marowitz has stuck to the details. Directed by Maria Aitken, the play has all the conventional trappings of the tradition, including the period setting, but Marowitz has attempted to dig deeper into the characters, making their relationships determine the plotline. Playwright Charles Marowitz brought Holmes to the stage in 1984 with Sherlock's Last Case, now running in revival at the Huntington Theatre Company.


Sprung from the imagination of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and revealed in 56 stories and four novels between 18, the detective is ever more with us, on film, television, and in the theater, striding the boards in his familiar deerstalker hat and caped overcoat. Sherlock Holmes refuses to be forgotten, despite the passage of years and newer ways to investigate crimes meant to surpass superhuman ingenuity.
