HOLMES & WATSON
a play by Lee Shackleford
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After performing to sold-out standing-room-only houses off-Broadway in 1990, this script went into the shop for repairs -- meanwhile becoming a favorite of reader's-theatre groups. Now the new and improved script is in print at last, in an attractive edition available from Amazon.com.
Jack Cannon as Sherlock Holmes and Alan Gardner as Dr. Watson in the world premiere -- May 1989 at the University of Alabama in Birmingham
Alan Gardner again, this time with the playwright in the off-Broadway production
The title says it all: there are only two people in the cast, and all the action takes place in one room. Doctor Watson has been grieving the death of Sherlock Holmes for three years when Holmes suddenly returns to Baker Street, expecting a warm welcome from Watson. But the reunion is not a happy one: Watson is furious at Holmes for his deception -- and to make matters worse, a trained assassin now waits outside the Baker Street flat, ready to kill Holmes or Watson at any moment...
"This play has smarts and guts and grins ... Shackleford's dialogue is clever and convincing, decorated with smart retorts and sly innuendo..."
--Birmingham News
"I have read HOLMES & WATSON and it held me riveted from first page to last.
It dealt with the interrelationship of Holmes and Watson more deeply than Doyle ever bothered and gives Watson an
absolutely fair shake -- and has a mystery, too. Bravo!"
--Isaac Asimov
"Bravo! Fine play. We seem to share much, you and I ..."
--Jeremy Brett
The play opened off-Broadway on January 4th, 1990, at the Theatre at Saint Peter's. Bernard Block was the Executive Producer and Bob Funk directed. Alan Gardner was again Dr. Watson, with the playwright as Holmes.
The script is at long last in print, and available in a handsome paperback edition via Amazon.com.
The book contains the most polished revision of the script plus photos, tips on production, and more.
Production of HOLMES & WATSON requires two men and one set -- plus plenty of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms.