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Holmes and Watson
“A Scandal in Bohemia” &
“The Final Problem”
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Adapted and directed by Terry McCabe
At City Lit Theater Company
In the Edgewater Presbyterian Church
1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, IL
Call 773-293-3682, tickets $25
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Running time is 1 hour, 40 minutes with intermission
Through June 4, 2006
Cit Lit returns to their mission with effective Holmes and Watson one acts
City Lit Theater, the jewel of Edgewater, specializes “in literature theatre including stage adaptations of literary material.” They return to that mission with a wonderful adaptation (by director Terry McCabe) of two of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short stories: “A Scandal in Bohemia” (the first of a series of 56 short stories) and “The Final Problem” (the intended last of the Holmes short stories---ten years later, Doyle resumed doing more Holmes stories). These Sherlock Holmes stories are narrated by Doctor Watson.
These two one acts are re-imagined as psychological dramas that, except for a cameo by Meghan M. Principe, as Irene Adler, are a two-handers with Don Bender as Holmes and Will Schutz as Dr. Watson.
Three things stand out in this marvelously engrossing show.
One, how talented an actor Will Schutz truly is. He is equally adapt with comedy and intense emotional roles and often moves from one character to another with the flick of eye. He is a master craftsman of dialect; articulate, easily comfortable with fast-talking descriptive language utilizing Irish, Cockney or High English, Scottish —even German-Bohemian accents. His eyes almost pop out as he deftly conveys either the angst or the depths of humor in a scene. His Dr. Watson is a master class on acting and enunciation. Schutz often get lost in crowded ensemble works, but in this two-hander, his craft illuminates the play as he delivers the key moments
Two, Don Bender smoothly conveys Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes from the witty, erudite detective, who warns Watson: “You see but not observe,” to the vulnerable, frightened crime fighter obsessed with bring down Professor Moriarty. Bender is a major talent at home with his characters.
Lastly, Terry McCabe’s brisk treatment of Holmes and Watson is an excellent primer to introduce new audiences to the marvels of Doyle’s writing as well as offering his core audience a concise evening of strong acting delivering worthy classic literature. Hopefully, McCabe has more of these Holmes and Watson stories in the hopper?
In “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Holmes matches wits with Miss Alder, an opera singer and adventuress who haunts Holmes as “the woman.” Actually, Schutz’s amazing depiction of the Bohemian king steals this act.
“The Final Problem” is Bender’s act as he lands Holmes’ fear and frustration with bring the arch criminal Professor Moriarty to justice. This textually accurate adaptation offers a fresh look into the personal relationship between the detective and the doctor. Did Holmes really die? You be the judge.
Kudos to City Lit Theater for offering us such polished work. Once you see this fine show, you’ll go to the bookstore for more Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. You’re liable to see Will Schutz and Don Bender’s photo on the dust jacket.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed April 29, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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