This year’s pandemic has put a big damper on live performance but Studio Theatre Perth has come up with an innovative way to continue entertaining the community. The community theatre is working on Christmas with Sherlock Holmes – a theatrical reading of two of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best loved Holmes adventures.
The production stars Kieran More, a relative newcomer to Perth, but an old hand at theatre. More has acted in productions with Third Wall Theatre Co., with Tara Players (Ottawa) with Ottawa Little Theatre and the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Company.
“I’m half terrified and half gratified. I’m new to town so to have an opportunity to do a show by myself is both wonderful and terrifying,” said More, adding that he’s enjoying the challenge.
More will be presenting The Man with Twisted Lip and The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle and while he may be nervous, by all accounts he is more than rising to the challenge.
“In The Man with the Twisted Lip, Kieran slips effortlessly among the voices of three women and five men, weaving a fascinating tale, luring you into opium dens and prison cells,” said Jane Stott, director.
This isn’t the first time More has brought Holmes to life. He has a YouTube channel More Mysteries where he has uploaded a series of Sherlock Holmes stories.
“I have a voice for Sherlock and one for Watson, and one for every character, which I had to do for the recordings,” said More.
The production while offering area theatre patrons an opportunity to catch a live performance is also a fundraiser for Studio Theatre Perth.
“Our goal is to raise $24,000 by April, for the Keep the Lights On fundraiser,” said Kat Watring Ellis, chair of the fundraising committee. “So far we have through the generosity of our patrons raised over $10,000 online and another $2000 from our first fundraiser Nosferatu, so we’re half of the way, or as I’d prefer to say we’re almost there!”
The Station Theatre has gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of volunteers and patrons during this pandemic and is following all COVID safety protocols. Masks are mandatory inside the theatre.
The play opens on Thursday December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and runs December 11 and 12 also at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday December 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available through ticketsplease.ca and are $20 each.
For those patrons that don’t feel comfortable coming to the theatre yet the show will be videographed and the on-line performances can be enjoyed in the comfort of home via a YouTube link. The YouTube link will be provided at ticket purchase through ticketsplease.ca for $17.50