Customer Reviews

The Sherlock Holmes Theatre [UNABRIDGED]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I listened to this audiobook on a recent hiking trip and found it very entertaining. A talented cast presents the only Holmes plays written by his creator, Sir Authur Conan Doyle.

In Sherlock Holmes, our hero fends off various nefarious plans launched by his nemasis, Professor Moriarity, the head of the London crime syndicate. Holmes even develops a love interest.

In the second play, The Speckled Band, Holmes solves an old murder and prevents a second one. The Anglo-Indian doctor has unusual habits, a mean disposition, surly servants and dog, and a propensity for seeing unhappy outcomes to the women left in his charge. Fortunately, Watson knew the family in India, and brings Holmes into the picture at the right time.

Then we have the little extra treat. Ghastly Double Murder in Famed Detectives's Flat is a more recent comedic play involving the Doyle characters, written by Yuri Rasovsky. This shows us what happens when the spotlight is turned off, as many new twists encircle Holmes, Watson, Mrs. Watson, and the long-suffering housekeeper. In this short story, Holmes elects an early retirement, as the current cases and criminals no longer hold his attention. Watson foresees his own demise, as he is broke, in debt to nefarious characters, and has already sold book rights that Holmes will never grant. The landlady realizes no one other than Holmes will pay the rent that has enabled her lifestyle all these years. She and Watson team up to stop Holmes' retirement with a surprising outcome.

These are well done audio dramatizations with full orchestra and a fine cast. The third play takes up one CD and is not by Doyle and furthermore, is a comedy. I found it funny, but it may not be to the taste of a Doyle/Sherlock Holmes purist. Given that the focus of this set was to present performances of Sherlock Holmes plays that Doyle wrote or was involved in (the first play, "Sherlock Holmes" was originally written by Doyle but then re-written by William Gillette), I was surprised that Doyle's one-act play "The Crown Diamond" wasn't presented too (it would have fitted on one-disc). That said, "Crown Diamond" has never been highly regarded by most fans. All in all, a terrific set that is well worth having.

In this remake of a well-known classic, Professor Moriarity plots with potential blackmailers to have Holmes killed, resulting in suspense and intrigue, including Holmes falling in love, with a mystery woman. The audio offers a new and realistic take on the London detective story.

The theatrical productions of the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are entertaining, but I suggest that you don't waste any time on the piece by Yuri Rasovsky. The logic is flawed, the dialogue is trite, and the humor is flat. It would be a terrible play even if the characters were new, but it's even worse as a Sherlock Holmes story since the actions are entirely out-of-character both for Holmes and for Dr. Watson.

I'd give 4 stars to this item if it only contained the first four discs. Disc Five eroded my enthusiasm to the point that now I can only muster a 2-star rating overall.

How did this win a Best production Award? In todays world of hi tech audio, this was sadly lacking in production. The actors sound like they are sitting on stools reading into a microphone. There is no feeling of action or excitement. It is a dull reading with music that sounds as if it was taken from a record, and not designed for this production. When compared with the Sherlock Holmes I hear on XM - this production falls flat, and was a disappointment.