Montreal Theatre

Baruchel – almost Holmes

Jay Baruchel as Sherlock Holmes

By Sharman Yarnell for Curtains Up

I remember a few years ago when the movie ‘Sherlock Holmes’ with Robert Downey Jr. in the lead previewed at the AMC.  There was a record attendance. In fact, people were turned away at the door.  Fisti-cuffs almost broke out in the lobby of the AMC.  The Sherlock Holmes Society turned up in full regalia of the Victorian era, with the president in a deerstalker hat.  At the end of the movie, more anger.  I remember it well, as I was hosting the event for CJAD.  The SHS exited extremely upset, surrounded me and told me, in no uncertain terms, what they thought of the bastardization of their beloved story.

I wonder what they will think of the Segal production of ‘Sherlock’, starring Jay Baruchel as the infamous Victorian sleuth? This is not Basil Rathbone and nor is it Jeremy Brett.

Baruchel’s ‘Sherlock’ is energetic and very, very funny. In fact, Baruchel possesses an acute sense of comedic timing that has the audience in hysterics at times. However, under any comedic role there must be a line of truth and that is missing in his portrayal. Baruchel plays the role for laughs (he gets them) and relies on contrivances. His ‘Sherlock’ is very one dimensional,  his actions are predictable.That becomes tiresome after a while. However, I cannot take away from the fact that it was fun to watch.

The story plays out through the prolific opium trade, which was hot in Victorian London. And of course…there’s murder, shootings and bodies.

Kyle Gatehouse as ‘Moriarty’ does a most admirable job with truth of character with the exact amount of sinistre under his skin. Karl Graboshas is a rather gentle Watson. Deena Aziz doesn’t quite hit the mark as ‘Orchid’ and was difficult to understand at times. (I’m still not sure what accent she is using.) Gemma James Smith is bang on with her Lady Irene St. John and Chip Chiupka, who plays many characters, found that inner truth for each one and delivered a uniquely definitive character with the expertise that he always seems to bring to the stage. Also notable are Matt Gagnon and Trent Pardy, who also play numerous roles and are absolutely delightful with each and every one of them.

There is so much more to be explored in this wonderful script of the late Greg Kramer. He has created a vehicle in which any actor would love to be let loose.  It has all the history, colour and drama of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories.  The dark and dreary backdrop of Victorian London comes alive in an over-the-top imaginative set. Director Andrew Shaver has done a remarkable job of pulling all the characters together, seeing every inch of that stage is put to good use.

That set by James Lavoie is extraordinary in dark greys and blacks. Movable scrims at different times have London streets projected on them – fireplaces, pelting rain and much more. Large metal staircases on wheels, representing the stairs at the dockyard, are pushed around the stage on which the actors fight, sit or run up and down.

There is a wonderful scene in which Sherlock appears to be hallucinating – All the performers are in an opium den, writhing and twisting in groups, on the floor, some hanging on the stairs.

The British accents are acceptable but, for those in the audience who are British, some pretty painful slip ups were noted.

Greg Kramer’s ‘Sherlock’ is, however, a fine tribute to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s masterpiece and his script is a lasting tribute to him – a tribute that will bring much enjoyment over the years to many audiences.

‘Sherlock’ is on at The Segal Theatre until May 28.

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *