Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Five

Barry Hogan wrote and directed this entertaining and gripping drama set in late Victorian London about Sherlock Holmes getting involved in hunting down Jack the Ripper.

In the title role of Sherlock Holmes was Peter Wilson. Peter was rarely off the stage with a massive scripted dialogue to learn, yet he was consummate in his portrayal and delivery throughout. His change from English gentleman to rough ‘docker’ when incognito was seamless. Holmes’ friend and colleague, Dr John Watson was played by Rachel Neill in a manner that confirmed her superb acting ability as she acted as the perfect foil to Holmes.

We met the Rippers victims, Mary Kelly (Marie Lovell), Liz Stride (Christine Jary) and Polly Nichols (Alys Rennie) not as prostitutes but as young women down on their luck just hoping to keep their heads above water, including their friend ‘Lucy’ (Lulin Moon).

‘George Lusk’ (Chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee) was played by Mark Rogerson as a rebel rousing agitator. ‘Caroline Maxewall’ (Cath Mills) was the key witness to the murder of Mary Kelly and provided Holmes with vital clues as he investigated the crime scenes on the ground helped along the way by PC Jonathan Baxter played by Andrew Molloy as a somewhat ‘in awe’ constable as the first on the scene.
Holmes and Watson’s presence on the crime scene were not appreciated by Inspector Abberline of Scotland Yard in what he saw as interference. The Inspector was played by Michael Tetchner with changing demeanours from obstructive to apologetic as the play progressed.

Making up the supporting roles was George Dickey as ‘Ryan the Barman’

Due to the precision in the dissection in the victims Holmes consulted eminent physician to the Queen, Sir William Gull played by Crispin Welby. Sir William was played as a elderly man failing in health both physical and mental – well done Crispin.
Of course Holmes managed to ‘solve’ the crime upon the final evidence of ‘Jane Nettley’ based on real life ‘John Nettley’ – coachman in London at the time. ‘Jane’ was played in suitable sinister manner by Pamela Elliott.

The Arts Centre it not known for its multiple entrances and exits but the cast and director made use of all of them with distinction including going out and coming in by the stairs in the auditorium. This had the potential to slow down the action but the pace didn’t seem to be affected and there was lots for the audience to ponder. Set was simple with Holmes drawing room predominating alongside a generic Whitechapel street differentiated by use of zonal lighting (well done Nigel Judson). Costumes were excellent (well done Susan Tetchner and Marie Lovell).

We even had a map of old Whitechapel in the programme so that we could follow the locations throughout – as someone that has taken a nighttime ‘Jack the Ripper’ tour around the actual locations it brought back to me the seediness and sinister nature of this infamous area of London.

Well done to WTG on a thoroughly entertaining and well-presented play.

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