`Holmes & Watson' kept audience guessing

A play where plot complications were sometimes almost impossible to follow at least kept the audience guessing in Saturday's performance. The play, “Holmes & Watson,” directed by Tom Cowley, runs through Nov. 9, at Carpenter Square Theatre, 800 W Main.

It was set at an isolated asylum on a Scottish island, where three men claim to be Sherlock Holmes, three years after his presumed death in 1891.

Ford Filson, the first claimant, did the best job of impersonating the great detective, with pipe, long coat and deerstalker hat, in one memorable vignette. Tall, but handicapped by a straitjacket, Peter Fischaber, as Sherlock Two, managed to make him seem mad rather than rational, cowardly not heroic.

Most challenging of all was Grant Brittan's part as a shaven-headed Holmes Three, who seemed unable to hear, speak or see, yet did all three, under hypnosis.

No less hard to fathom was Greg Call's depiction of someone who identifies himself as Dr. Watson, yet can't recognize his old friend, after only three years.

Another mysterious figure, who may not be what he seems to be, was Ed Sinelli, as Dr. Evans, the head of the strange asylum with only three patients. Adding to the sense of suspense and confusion on stage was David Bryant, as a strongarmed orderly, who may be more than an orderly.

For his part, Paul Tomlin filled a crucial cameo role as Holmes' arch enemy and nemesis, Dr. Moriarty, who keeps dying, over and over, at Reichenbach Falls. Also cast in an intriguing double part was Laurie Blankenship, who played both the asylum's prim matron, and Holmes' favorite femme fatale, Irene Adler.

The Jeffrey Hatcher play was performed on a nearly bare set, with three doors, and an alcove for the deady falls, designed by Ben Hall.

Bordering on the absurd, but never quite going far enough in that direction, the production was often less a “whodunit?” than a “what are they getting at?” But it did succeed in keeping spectators off balance, appealing to both longtime fans of the Holmes stories, and those wishing to understand their lasting appeal.

It will be staged at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Nov. 9; with 7:30 p.m. Thursday performances Oct. 31 and Nov. 7; and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee Nov. 3.

Call 232-6500 or email csttix@coxinet.net for ticket information.