Tamarra Graham, Cheryl Daroand Sarah Wolter (Photo by Jordan Gohara)
Reviewed by Asa Fris
International City Theatre
Through November 2
Dr. Joan Watson (Cheryl Daro) arrives at the front door of 22b Baker Street, in modern day London. She’s looking for a cheap place to live, having recently arrived from America, and a Mrs. Hudson (Tamarra Graham) is offering exactly that. But soon Watson learns just why the rent is so affordable: The flat is to be shared with the current tenant Sherlock (not Shirley) Holmes (Sarah Wolter). Holmes is nosey, messy, abrasive, and uncompromising. Yet despite her disordered living areas, her abundant marijuana use, and her ignorance of personal boundaries, her brilliant deductive abilities intrigue Watson, who agrees to live with her. Unbeknownst to Watson, this marks the beginning of a journey full of mysteries, larger than life characters, and lots of tomfoolery. But, amidst their success as a duo, questions do arise about what they’re really looking for from their sleuthing, and each other.
This plot summary is generally what happens in Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, but playwright Kate Hamill’s execution of her own setup is all over the place. At times it gets by through mocking Arthur Conan Doyle’s original characters and conceits, which can be humorous (especially thanks to Wolter and Daro), but at the same time renders our main characters a bit obnoxious, and impedes the plot’s momentum. At other times it relies on over the top situations, disjointed pop culture references, and messiness (props and bodies thrown about the stage). In some moments, the piece is sensual and romantic and ponders the true nature of partnership. And then, jarringly, it will switch to a discussion of the pain and trauma caused as a result of the COVID pandemic. By the end, one’s unsure whether Hamill has been wanting to write an absurdist parody, or a serious story about isolation and connection.
Director Aimee Farell does little to make Hamill’s text clearer or more cohesive. While she does achieve a few amusing moments of physical comedy with the cast, her exploration of the text is superficial, and her staging often places actors behind furniture or towards the back of the stage. The set, designed by Destiny Manewal, though intricate and lovely to look at, makes for awkward scene transitions, and Farell’s use of it leaves much of the most accessible playing space underutilized. Furthermore, there is one scene where the playing space is composed of couches and chests that are pushed together, requiring the actors to awkwardly step up, down, and around the scenery.
Staging issues aside, the actors bring tremendous talent and joy to the show. Both Wolter and Daro give themselves over to their roles. Wolter is audacious and embraces the many neuroticisms that Hamill imbues in Sherlock, and she’s a hoot and a holler in her rendering of Sherlock disguised as a nun. Yet, although she displays impressive vocal range throughout the performance, she also tends to pushes past the limits of her voice, causing her to gasp for air between lines. Daro also embraces a Watson that Hamill has written to be reactionary, somewhat inept, yet full of witty remarks. Daro’s portrayal is funny and sincere, and she’s precise in executing physical humor.
Graham and Brian Stanton, who each play multiple characters, give standout performances in all of their roles. Stanton is hilarious as the bumbling police inspector Lestrade, and is a perfect supporting piece to the story in each role he plays. Graham is a riot as Mrs. Drebber, sensual and powerful as Irene, and equally as bumbling as Lestrade as Mrs. Hudson. Both display admirable vocal and physical versatility, and uplift Hamill’s writing through their sheer comedic power.
It helps that all the actors look their parts, as Kimberly DeShazo’s costume design is stellar. For Holmes, she preserves iconic items like the deerstalker hat, but throws in modifications, like high-waisted jeans, that are perfect for Hamill’s stoner-savant. Watson’s all black outfit with boots, a double-bun, and heavy jewelry serves as a contrast to Holmes outfit, and captures a modern New York aesthetic. And her wardrobe selections for the various characters Graham and Stanton portray clearly differentiate each character, not only in look, but how well each costume seems custom designed to the actors themselves.
International City Theatre 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach. Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Nov. 2. InternationalCityTheatre.org. Running time: approximately two hours and 15 minutes with a 15-minute intermission
