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SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL CURTAIN

@ Theatre Royal Newcastle

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This is a new Sherlock Holmes storyline by Simon Reade inspired by Arthur Conan-Doyle’s classic detective series and remains faithful to Conan Doyle’s characters.

As Conan-Doyle’s Holmes was famously brought back to life – by popular demand – after his fatal cliff-edge showdown with arch-nemesis Moriarty in his story ‘The Adventure of the Final Problem’, Simon Reade brings us The Final Curtain where Sherlock is tempted out of a comfortable retirement for another adventure.

Living on the South Coast, Holmes enjoys a more sedate life, keeping bees, occasionally casting his fly fishing rod, and turning his attention to his Stradivarius when his rheumatism allows. Now older and less agile, Holmes is preoccupied with feelings he may have lost his touch, causing paranoia that he has now become easy prey for his enemies, of which has had many over his time. The seed of suspicion and doubt grows in his mind that his most famous rival, Moriarty, may not have died at the Reichenbach Falls after all.

To draw Holmes out of his mounting feelings of obsolescence, Mary Watson (the wife of his former associate, John Watson) tracks down the reclusive detective to help her get to the bottom of a mystery very close to home. Mary and John Watson’s long dead son, James, was seen through the window of 221B Baker Street – apparently alive and well. Determined to solve this mystery, Sherlock is spurred into action to solve this mysterious case, and at the same time, to confront his own demons.

Chilling, gripping and filled with unforeseen twists and revelations, this world premiere production has been commissioned by Theatre Royal Bath from award-winning dramatist Simon Reade, previously Literary Manager at the Royal Shakespeare Company and reunites the dream team of Robert Powell and Liza Goddard following huge acclaim for their performances in Single Spies and Relatively Speaking.

Robert Powell received multiple awards and a BAFTA nomination for his portrayal of Jesus in Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth. His extensive stage performances include Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell and King Charles III.

 Liza Goddard is one of the UK’s favourite actresses who is perhaps best known for her television roles in Doctor Who and Bergerac. Stage credits include Life of Riley, Communicating Doors, Season’s Greetings, Life and Beth and If I Were You.

They are joined by Roy Sampson, Timothy Kightley, Anna O’Grady, Lewis Collier, Daniel Cech-Lucas, Peter Cadden, Peter Yapp and Louise Templeton.

The production is directed by David Grindley, designed by Jonathan Fensom, Lighting is by Jason Taylor and Sound by Gregory Clarke.

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