By CANDACE BROWN
For The Beachomber
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced Sherlock Holmes to the world of fiction 126 years ago, but discovering a more personal side to the famous detective feels fresh and fascinating in Drama Dock’s production of “Sherlock’s Veiled Secret,” directed by Elizabeth Ripley.
Holmes has a heart after all, it seems, and a secret. His three former lovers have theirs too. But it is an innocent young woman — a sculptress named Violet Sheridan (played by Bryanna Savelesky) — who lifts the veil from the secret that has profoundly affected her life.
Savelesky, by the way, gave a fine performance on extremely short notice, replacing India Castle, who had to bow out of the show at the last minute. Although Savelesky carried a script the night I attended, she was by no means glued to it and when possible, turned it into a prop.
Elements of suspense, comedy and emotional conflict created an engaging show that lasted almost two and a half hours but went by too quickly for me. Ripley drew out all the potential for intrigue in this complicated story, inspiring the cast to imbue their characterizations with rich nuances of voice, expression and movement that added the spark of life to a script full of formal language, clever wit and plot twists.
I don’t read many mysteries, partly because I don’t enjoy keeping track of all the clues and suspects. But mysteries served up on stage are quite a different thing. These characters live and breathe. Their faces, body language and manners of speech become pieces of the puzzle. Although the story was co-authored by K.C. Brown and Arne Zazlov, it seemed as if Doyle wrote it himself, as the genuine Holmes stepped from page to stage through the perfect casting of Christopher Ott in the title role.
The story begins with the aging detective asleep in a chair at his country estate, dreaming. Bees buzz in the background. Enter the lovely and confident young Violet — summoned there to help him solve a case of blackmail against an initially unnamed victim. But Violet is more than a substitute for his absent assistant, Watson. She is, he confesses, the daughter he and her mother gave up at birth. But who is her mother? Holmes won’t tell.
This question forms the basis of the story line, but the show’s theme seems to be the complexity of human relationships. It isn’t just those between Holmes and his three former lovers — one of whom must surely be Violet’s mother — but also Violet’s relationships with both her father and her high society fiancé, Charles Wellington York, played by Marshall Murray.
I totally enjoyed Murray as the bumbling and hilarious character of York. His innuendos and slapstick comedy — especially during a scene involving a gun — kept the audience surprised and laughing. He nicely balanced the more somber aspects of the story, such as its examination of a woman’s place in English society between 1892 and the end of World War I, concerning marriage, morals and careers.
Peter Kreitner, as Turlough O’Brennon, is a “character” among characters and made a charming villain. Sue DeNies seemed ideal as Irene Adler, the wittiest of Holmes’ three ladies. Dianna Ammon revealed depth and humanity in her character, Mrs. Cyril Morton. And the talented Stephanie Murray knew just how to portray Lady Carrington as a sensuous romantic living the life of an English noblewoman, constrained by society. David Link as the workman and Nancy White as Agatha each did a great job, too. Costumes were fabulous in every case.
Lighting design by Nathan Ott and sound design by Christopher Overstreet added so much. I loved the creepy distortion of ghost voices, and the loud buzzing of bees felt as disconcerting as I’m sure was intended — perhaps as a reminder that things taken for granted can carry danger. I especially admired Lillian Ripley’s creativity in designing the highly versatile sets. Costumed maid servants (played by Salena Biro, Hannah Fellbaum, Jessica Klein and Savannah Terp) doubled as stage hands, a clever touch.
I commend the teamwork behind this production. Every person involved, at every level, deserves praise for creating a show anyone would enjoy. I highly recommend “Sherlock’s Veiled Secret.” Congratulations, Drama Dock.
— Writer and musician Candace Brown grew up on Vashon. She lives in Tacoma and writes the blog Good Life Northwest.
“Sherlock’s Veiled Secret” will be performed at 7:30 Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, $7.50 to $12.50, are on sale at Vashon Bookshop and at the door.
