Cliff hanger Sherlock Holmes at Garrick (From Northwich Guardian)

Cliff hanger Sherlock Holmes at Garrick

10:45am Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Theatre & arts By Julia Taylor

SHERLOCK Holmes’ arch-enemy, Professor Moriarty chases him and his side-kick Dr Watson across Europe in Altrincham Garrick’s Sherlock Holmes – the Final Case.

This adaptation for stage by Alan Clements, directed and designed by Barry Purves, shows them fighting above the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. The falls themselves are left to the imagination for the set incomprehensibly consists of a room full of files and scattered books. Presumably, this is to illustrate the complexity of Holmes’ mind though it bears no relationship to Conan Doyle’s description of the room as “single, large and airy, cheerfully furnished and illuminated by two broad windows.”

Holmes, excellently portrayed by David Reynolds, maintains a superior attitude to his second-in-command, Dr Watson. The latter is a credit to David Beddy especially when he presents a eulogy to the supposedly dead sleuth just before he returns unscathed. With some shuffling of scenes, this could have made a dramatic ending, The second act is, frankly, dull. It is an elongated spinning of theories about a murder at Birlstone Manor, Sussex. Those who play Professor Moriarty and Inspector Lestrade so well, are merged in the “Sherlock Holmes Company” and not named individually which is a shame.

Though dexterously switching roles, the Company often stand uncomfortably in lines. Their singing of Who would true Valour See is beautiful.

And where is Holmes’ hallmark deerstalker and pipe?

I’m sure he would have an explanation. Elementary Watson. * Until January 28. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677. Star Rating * * *