Sherlock Holmes
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Until 6th June
Going into Sherlock Holmes as someone who is not already a Sherlock Holmes fan, I was curious to see whether the production could pull in audiences unfamiliar with the detective’s world. Playing at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Joel Horwood’s adaptation, directed by Sean Holmes, combines comedy and theatrical spectacle in this outdoor production.
Set in London in 1890, the play centres on Sherlock Holmes after the success of a recent case has left him bored and searching for a new challenge. When a mysterious woman arrives at 221B Baker Street with a valuable jewel and a dangerous secret, Holmes and Dr Watson are pulled into an investigation involving conspiracy, deception and danger across Victorian London.
The production throws a huge amount at the audience, including political unrest, hidden identities, crime, jailbreaks, and moments of surreal theatricality. While this creates an energetic pace, the storytelling becomes so frantic that it begins to lose clarity. Although the plot contains plenty of the twists and turns I’d anticipate from Sherlock, it feels tangled, and I never fully sensed the urgency or suspense needed to become truly invested in solving the mystery.
What stood out throughout the production were the strong performances from Joshua James and Jyuddah Jaymes. Because the first half took place largely in daylight, there was little opportunity for the show to rely on dramatic lighting or theatrical illusion to create atmosphere. Instead, the performances were completely exposed, and the cast rose to the challenge. Joshua James delivered a charismatic and confident Sherlock Holmes, capturing both the detective’s intelligence and arrogance with ease. He was compelling to watch although not the portrayal of Sherlock I was expecting. Jyuddah Jaymes was equally strong as Watson, bringing warmth and humour that grounded the production. Their dynamic chemistry carried many scenes and helped maintain momentum even when the plot felt less gripping.
As darkness fell in Act Two, the production leaned further into theatricality, with Ryan Day’s lighting, alongside smoke and fire effects, heightening the atmosphere. The final sequences made especially effective use of the open-air setting, expanding across the entire performance space in a way that felt both exciting and immersive. Throughout the production, several well-crafted choreographed moments by Charlotte Broom added real energy and visual interest, although sometimes seemed disjointed from the plot.
The relatively minimal set and exposed staging by Grace Smart sometimes worked against the mystery element of the story. Without the shadowy atmosphere often associated with Sherlock Holmes, some of the intrigue felt diminished, making the plot less engaging than it perhaps intended to be. By the end, the production becomes layered with references to Holmes lore, especially the twist at the end, which may work better for long-time fans than newcomers. Despite this, the experience of watching theatre in Regent’s Park remained enjoyable. Even in the cold evening weather, and thankfully without rain, the unique atmosphere of the open-air venue added something special to the night.
Sherlock Holmes is currently playing at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 6th June 2026. While the mystery itself may not fully grip every audience member, strong performances and interesting use of the outdoor space make it an enjoyable theatrical experience.
Reviewer: Tara Whenray
⭐⭐⭐
Cast
Christopher Akrill (Sholto/Judge)
Andre Antonio (Pockets/Referee)
Will Brown (Small/Lestrade)
Paolo Guidi (Graziano/Bill)
Benjamin Harrold (Morstan)
Joshua James (Sherlock)
Jyuddah Jaymes (Watson)
Nadi Kemp-Sayfi (Mary)
Marcia Lecky (Mrs Hudson/Lucia)
Mervin Noronha (Tonga/Azad)
Yuyu Rau (Lin/Nancy)
Theo Reece (Domingo)
Rakhee Sharma (Aleksandra/Padshah Begum Jahan)
Tamara Tare (Ensemble & Onstage Swing)
and Patrick Warner (Mycroft/Thaddeus).