16 – 20 April

Blackeyed Theatre brings its acclaimed production of Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear to the Theatre Royal Bath prior to its London premiere at Southwark Playhouse and following a successful nationwide tour last year. Adapted by Nick Lane from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel, The Valley of Fear is crammed full of adventure, mystery and one or two rather brilliant deductions. Featuring original music composed by Tristan Parkes, this thrilling show combines stylish theatricality and gripping storytelling.

When Sherlock Holmes receives a mysterious coded message, warning of imminent danger, he and the faithful Dr Watson are drawn into a tale of intrigue and murder stretching from 221B Baker Street to an ancient, moated manor house and the bleak Pennsylvanian Vermissa Valley. Faced with a trail of bewildering clues, Holmes begins to unearth a darker, wider web of corruption, a secret society and the sinister work of one Professor Moriarty.

The Valley of Fear is performed by five actors with Bobby Bradley playing the roles of Sherlock Holmes and Baldwin. Bobby’s previous credits include Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse, Hedda Gabler at the National Theatre and Irvine Welsh’s Crime on ITV and BritBox. The roles of Dr John Watson and Thad Morris are performed by Joseph Derrington, whose previous credits include The Importance of Being Earnest at the MAC Belfast and Animal Farm at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate. Blake Kubena plays the roles of McMurdo and Detective White-Mason. His previous credits include Vikings for Amazon Prime and the History Channel, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde on UK tour. Gavin Molloy appears as Jack McGinty, Cecil Barker, Inspector McDonald and Moriarty. Gavin’s stage work includes The Alchemist at Riverside Studios and Everything Must Go at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. On screen, he has played roles in EastEnders, Pulp, The Fallen Word and Gimme 6. Alice Osmanski appears as Ettie Shafter, Mrs Hudson, Ivy Douglas and Captain Marvin. Her stage credits include UK tours of Some Mothers Do Ave Em and The Entertainer, and Hancock’s Half Hour and A Christmas Carol for Apollo Theatre Company. All other parts are played by members of the cast.

The Valley of Fear is loosely based on the Molly Maguires and Pinkerton agent, American private detective, James McParland. Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the story was first published in the Strand Magazine between September 1914 and May 1915, with the first book edition published in New York in February 1915.

Artistic Director of Blackeyed Theatre Adrian McDougall comments, “I’m thrilled to bring this fabulous adaptation back to the stage this Spring. It just happens to coincide with our 20^th birthday, and it’s fitting that Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear is such a joyous celebration of theatre. The production has so much in it to enjoy, from the performances to the design to the ingenious script, which manages to condense the novel’s two narratives into an exciting, stylish piece of theatre. I’m looking forward to audiences once again reveling in the opportunity to solve this epic mystery.”

Writer/Director Nick Lane said, “Of all the Holmes’ canon, The Valley of Fear isn’t a story I’d ever seen brought to the stage – possibly because it’s two tales in one, almost – part of it taking place in England, another part in the US. The thrill for me, being a huge fan of crime fiction on both sides of the Atlantic, was in exploring the different tones of the two narratives; points where they mirror one another, points where they diverge. It was a challenge, but an exciting one. I’m looking forward to working once again with a fabulous team to create something thrilling and visceral.”

Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 16^th to Saturday 20^th April. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk

Photo credit: Alex Harvey-Brown