Carv's Thinky Blog I'm an author with a focus on satirical science fiction.

The Game Is Afoot!

I had a different update planned for today, but that new stuff will just have to wait because I'm too excited about something else. I finally get to direct the amazing Sherlock's Last Case by Charles Marowitz! I owe my sincerest thanks to Lakewood Playhouse, where the show will run from September 14 to October 14. The auditions, however, are scheduled for less than four weeks away. Ack! I want the number of great actors who show up to be overwhelming. I want to lose sleep over the many great competitors vying for a handful of roles. And what terrific roles they are! There's not a throwaway character in the bunch. Check 'em out:

Dr. John H. Watson, M.D.:

Watson is close to Holmes’s age, athletic, and has a strong build, thick neck, small mustache, and square face. In no way should we think of poor, bumbling Nigel Bruce. Remember, Watson is only foolish compared to Holmes—but so are we.

Sherlock Holmes:

From A Study in Scarlet: “In height he was rather over six feet, and so excessively lean that he seemed to be considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and piercing…and his thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of alertness and derision. His chin, too, had the prominence and squareness which mark the man of determination.” He’s said to have black hair, gray eyes, thin lips, a strident voice, and a “cat-like sense of personal cleanliness.” He’s in his 40s but needn’t look any particular age. Bearing is more important than looks here, though we do have certain expectations. The character should remind us more of House, MD than of Tony Stark.

* The actor playing Holmes will also play a Holmes lookalike, using slight makeup and vocal changes.

Mrs. Hudson:

Conan Doyle never gives her a first name. Also, he never says whether she’s older or younger than Holmes.

Liza:

Holmes tells her, “You have the brightest, most intense and exciting eyes I have ever seen in a woman.” She’s a pale, attractive strawberry blonde. (By the way, I'm not opposed to wigs and makeup, though these physical traits are referred to in the play.)

* “Liza” will be revealed as actress Bertha Walmsley, who also plays a young man. Range is critical here! Plan to read for that male role as well.

Inspector G. Lestrade:

Holmes describes Lestrade as “the pick of a bad lot,” meaning Scotland Yard, and “absolutely devoid of reason” but “tenacious as a bulldog.” He’s "a little sallow rat-faced, dark-eyed fellow" (A Study in Scarlet), "a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking" (“The Boscombe Valley Mystery”).

Holmes, Watson, and Liza have educated London accents. Lestrade’s accent might be a bit rougher around the edges, but certainly not Cockney. Mrs. Hudson is said to be Scots, but that doesn’t necessarily demand a Scottish accent.

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If I were staging this play for the Cross Timbers Theatre Company in Ada, Oklahoma, I know already who'd play these roles. There were only so many good actors in town! But this is the Pacific Northwest, where I meet an amazing new actor each week. Oh, Lakewood Playhouse, I can't wait to be exhausted by how magnificent you are.

It begins!

And I still have something awesome in the works for tomorrow...