REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
WATSON: The Final Problem
by Bert Coules and Tim Marriott, from the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Performed by Tim Marriott (BBC TV's Brittas Empire)
QUEENS THEATRE, HORNCHURCH
WEDNESDAY 17TH MAY, 7.30pm
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
WATSON: The Final Problem
by Bert Coules and Tim Marriott, from the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Performed by Tim Marriott (BBC TV's Brittas Empire)
QUEENS THEATRE, HORNCHURCH
WEDNESDAY 17TH MAY, 7.30pm
'I alone know the truth and I intend to see that truth told’
It is 1894, and Dr John Watson is reminiscing about his friendship with the great Sherlock Holmes. In the loneliness of his sitting room he tells us how he trained as a doctor, went to fight in the North West Frontier and injured, was invalided out of the army. In a quandary as to where his life was going, he met the great man, when Holmes needed someone to share the cost of his rooms. As a result, Watson’s life changed dramatically as he became involved in the intricate detective cases of the great man himself. He reminds us that it was due to him that Sherlock became famous, as he published his journal of the adventures they had together. However, I think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as the creator of the fictional, Victorian detective, might have had something to do with it.
Dr Watson is now a sad figure, his wife is dead and he recalls how Sherlock persuaded him to race across Europe to escape the clutches of the detective’s nemesis, the evil Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime. Watson is tricked into leaving his friend alone, and Sherlock is famously killed at the Reichenbach Falls. Or is he? Only Conan Doyle knows the answer to that one.
Standing alone centre stage, with a minimalist set, this one-man show written and performed by Tim Marriott (Britass Empire and Allo, Allo) together with Bert Coules, presents an interesting evening. Marriott vividly creates the events. The play, also directed by Coules, has the very effective use of sound effects, particularly in the Afghanistan battles. Marriott strides around the stage, involving some physical theatre and like Dicken’s character Sloppy, ‘He do the Voices.’ The use of a phantom looking coat and hat stand in the gloom was very effective. It was as if the figure of Sherlock himself loomed over the stage.
There are references to Conan Doyle’s stories such as The Case of the Speckled Band and The Sign of Four. There are also some humorous references that brought smiles to the audience. As he recounts the pursuit, there are complicated train journeys, disguises and an avalanche of rocks. The tragedy ends with a plaintive note found by Watson under a silver cigarette case, as Holmes says his goodbyes. However, there is a cliffhanger ending (forgive the pun) to the performance.
This short play, which started at the Edinburgh Festival is well done, and is a clever monologue. However, Tim Marriott, is somewhat dwarfed on the large Queen’s Theatre Stage. It really should be performed in a more intimate studio theatre and it remains essentially a radio play. This is not surprising considering that the writer, Bert Coules, was at one time the BBC‘s radio drama producer-director.
Even if you are not a Conan Doyle fan, and like me have never read the stories, Tim Marriott made them intriguing. It even made me think I should get my Kindle out and download all the books.
Review Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The tour continues:-
May 19 – Cranleigh Arts
1 High Street, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8AS
at 7.00pm
book online at
https://cranleigharts.org/event/watson-the-final-problem/
June 3 – The Mill Arts Centre
Spiceball Park Road, Banbury , Oxfordshire OX16 5QE
at 7.30pm
book online at
https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/watson-final-problem/
July 7-14 – RMS Queen Mary 2
(the only ocean liner still in service)
July 22 – The Playhouse
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street Sheffield S1 1DA
at 8.00pm
book online at
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/watson-the-final-problem
August 3-13, 15-20, 22-28 – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Assembly George Square Studios (Studio 3)
George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LH
at 3.15pm
book online at
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/watson-the-final-problem
Dr Watson is now a sad figure, his wife is dead and he recalls how Sherlock persuaded him to race across Europe to escape the clutches of the detective’s nemesis, the evil Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime. Watson is tricked into leaving his friend alone, and Sherlock is famously killed at the Reichenbach Falls. Or is he? Only Conan Doyle knows the answer to that one.
Standing alone centre stage, with a minimalist set, this one-man show written and performed by Tim Marriott (Britass Empire and Allo, Allo) together with Bert Coules, presents an interesting evening. Marriott vividly creates the events. The play, also directed by Coules, has the very effective use of sound effects, particularly in the Afghanistan battles. Marriott strides around the stage, involving some physical theatre and like Dicken’s character Sloppy, ‘He do the Voices.’ The use of a phantom looking coat and hat stand in the gloom was very effective. It was as if the figure of Sherlock himself loomed over the stage.
There are references to Conan Doyle’s stories such as The Case of the Speckled Band and The Sign of Four. There are also some humorous references that brought smiles to the audience. As he recounts the pursuit, there are complicated train journeys, disguises and an avalanche of rocks. The tragedy ends with a plaintive note found by Watson under a silver cigarette case, as Holmes says his goodbyes. However, there is a cliffhanger ending (forgive the pun) to the performance.
This short play, which started at the Edinburgh Festival is well done, and is a clever monologue. However, Tim Marriott, is somewhat dwarfed on the large Queen’s Theatre Stage. It really should be performed in a more intimate studio theatre and it remains essentially a radio play. This is not surprising considering that the writer, Bert Coules, was at one time the BBC‘s radio drama producer-director.
Even if you are not a Conan Doyle fan, and like me have never read the stories, Tim Marriott made them intriguing. It even made me think I should get my Kindle out and download all the books.
Review Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The tour continues:-
May 19 – Cranleigh Arts
1 High Street, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8AS
at 7.00pm
book online at
https://cranleigharts.org/event/watson-the-final-problem/
June 3 – The Mill Arts Centre
Spiceball Park Road, Banbury , Oxfordshire OX16 5QE
at 7.30pm
book online at
https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/watson-final-problem/
July 7-14 – RMS Queen Mary 2
(the only ocean liner still in service)
July 22 – The Playhouse
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street Sheffield S1 1DA
at 8.00pm
book online at
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/watson-the-final-problem
August 3-13, 15-20, 22-28 – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Assembly George Square Studios (Studio 3)
George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LH
at 3.15pm
book online at
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/watson-the-final-problem
The year is 1894. Watson is alone. Sherlock Holmes and his beloved Mary are both gone. London seethes with false reports and rumour. It is time to set the record straight. So Watson tells his tale and the intrepid detectives must face their nemesis, the Napoleon of Crime, Professor Moriarty. But as Watson takes us on a journey across Europe to the Reichenbach Falls, is the game really over?
"Impressive! A damn fine play" ***** Weekend Notes
"Utterly brilliant. A must see" ***** Edinburgh Review
"A thrilling ride!" ***** InDaily
SELL OUT SHOW - Edinburgh 21 & 22, Adelaide Fringe 23
FRINGE FAVOURITE - The Scotsman, Edinburgh Fringe 21
Tim Marriott - BEST PERFORMANCE at EdFringe 22 (Dark Chat Awards)
"Utterly brilliant. A must see" ***** Edinburgh Review
"A thrilling ride!" ***** InDaily
SELL OUT SHOW - Edinburgh 21 & 22, Adelaide Fringe 23
FRINGE FAVOURITE - The Scotsman, Edinburgh Fringe 21
Tim Marriott - BEST PERFORMANCE at EdFringe 22 (Dark Chat Awards)
Watson: The Final Problem is created in collaboration with and directed by Bert Coules, the BBC’s head writer on adaptations of the Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, who says “Watson is often overlooked, but is more than Conan Doyle’s alter ego. Haunted by loss, deeply affected by the effects of war in Afghanistan, and appalled by dishonesty and falsehood, he is a remarkably contemporary character to bring to life on stage.”
90s sitcom star Tim Marriott played ‘Gavin’ in 7 seasons of the BBC sit-com The Brittas Empire. After a second career in education, he returned to the stage in 2018, travelling to festivals around the world with acclaimed PTSD play Shell Shock (Best Solo Show, Adelaide) and Holocaust themed Mengele (Lustrum Award, Edinburgh, NY Encore).
QUEENS THEATRE, HORNCHURCH, WEDNESDAY 17TH MAY, 7.30pm
Box Office: 01708 443333
www.queens-theatre.co.uk/whatson/watson-the-final-problem/
90s sitcom star Tim Marriott played ‘Gavin’ in 7 seasons of the BBC sit-com The Brittas Empire. After a second career in education, he returned to the stage in 2018, travelling to festivals around the world with acclaimed PTSD play Shell Shock (Best Solo Show, Adelaide) and Holocaust themed Mengele (Lustrum Award, Edinburgh, NY Encore).
QUEENS THEATRE, HORNCHURCH, WEDNESDAY 17TH MAY, 7.30pm
Box Office: 01708 443333
www.queens-theatre.co.uk/whatson/watson-the-final-problem/