The Dramatic Moment of Fate

The Life of Sherlock Holmes in the Theatre

By: Alexandra Kitty

Narrated by: J.T. McDaniel

Sherlock Holmes has been a beloved character from his first story, and his mystique endures to the modern age in print and on screen, but he has had a long life in the theater, as well.

Where did it begin? What are the themes, stories, and characterizations that make his stage presence unique and just as enduring?

Follow his trail on the stage as author Alexandra Kitty curates his fascinating theatrical world throughout the decades: from unlikely Off-Broadway musicals to lauded slapstick comedies, to more traditional and gripping portrayals of his iconic stories and new incarnations.

How does the world's greatest detective fare in the theater? The results are always shocking, but never disappointing.

©2020 Alexandra Kitty (P)2020 MX Publishing

Detailed Review of SH in the Theater

Extensive review of various productions of Sherlock Holmes in the theatre. Includes lots of excerpts from reviews and was somewhat difficult to follow as it jumped from one show to another over the years. However, the end result made me yearn for an opportunity to attend a Sherlock Holmes show.

Another world

An interesting look at stage productions of Sherlock Homes and his adventures to the confinement of a stage.

Delightful!

I was provided a copy of this audiobook at no cost for review purposes courtesy of MX Publishing.

This was a delightful introduction to Sherlock Holmes’ history in the stage! The biggest thing I’d never realized (or even considered!) was how stage depictions of Holmes shaped public perception of him. I think I learned at some point that the first Holmes play took to the stage when Doyle was still writing his stories, but I’d never considered that meant the stage version was forming and changing Holmes’ in the popular imagination even as Doyle continued to do so. I’ve gathered awareness and knowledge of prominent TV and movie Holmes and Watson actors and seen ways they changed and maintained the general public’s perception duo over the years, but I’d never considered that the stage, especially in the first few decades, was just as significant a factor in this development. In addition to this major revelation, I picked up all manner of new tidbits from this book. Here are the ones that struck me enough to jot down:
- I’d heard of Gillette but didn’t realize he was such a big name in the theater world, or that he contributed so much to the image of Holmes we have today.
- A Holmes musical from the 60s? AND it was well-received?! Catch me looking into that.
- A musical from the 80s with Moriarty’s daughter as love interest?! Wild choice.
- Also delighted by the section on Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville play, as I recently had the opportunity to see it on stage.
- I had no idea Jeremy Brett played Watson on the stage in the 70s before he became the iconic Holmes TV actor in the 80s, let alone that Dwight Schultz (Murdoch from A Team) was a costar in the play! Delightful crossover.
- 3/4 of the way through the book, I’m struck by both the number and variety of Holmesian stage productions

My only complaint is that the narrator could have had better microphone quality. Overall, an excellent listen. Learned lots!