Sherlock Homes and the Repulsive Affair of the Red Leech

As local theatre begins to re-emerge across the nation, the challenge of rehearsing and staging shows is still beset with the presence of COVID. The Torrington Players have ingeniously met the rehearsal and staging challenge by presenting the district with a very novel radio roadshow, fashioning the group as amateur radio hams, broadcasting Sherlock Holmes and the Repulsive Affair of the Red Leech – enabling them to take it to audiences across North Devon. And what a great way to entertain!

At Dolton Village Hall, the curtain opened to a group of actors seated in a row behind the mics, a seated Anchor to the left and the fabulous Sound Effects booth to the right. The story is kicked off by the radio anchor and Narrator Marion Walker, who verbally paints the scene with a wonderful BBC voice, reminiscent of the wireless of yesteryear.  

A story being read on stage is potentially hazardous to holding the attention of an audience, but the vital energy of the cast, the capers of the sound crew and the well-developed humour of the piece was more than a match as they took the audience back to London in 1896 where the citizens are gripped by a malevolent presence as bodies are being pulled out of the Thames, entirely drained of blood. 

The enigmatic Sherlock was played by Lewis Holt a suave and reassuring presence inspiring confidence and not a little glamour in the troubled household of Arthur Crosby. He was accompanied of course by Paul Cockman as the beloved Doctor Watson who was delightfully bumbling and in no small way long suffering as he had to put up with every variation of his name from Dr Weston, Wilkens to Watford. Watson also had a rather distressing heavy-footed habit of divesting ladies of their skirts, culminating in Holmes suggesting he may prefer to stick to collecting stamps. This included the amusingly unaware Mrs Hudson in a lovely performance by Jo Fallaize.

Without giving spoilers, it is fair to say that the plot had many twists and turns including an appearance from Dracula, played by Steve McNeill with a deliciously evil and entertaining voice and demeanour. 

Arthur Crosby, whose daughter has mysteriously gone missing, was convincingly played by Chris Heard and his daughters, all very colourfully portrayed, were Julia Ward-Bailey and Margaret Jewell.  Although this was a group of people standing on stage, the energy poured into the readings did rather transport you into the household rooms from studies to drawing rooms to basements. This was particularly true when Arthur and his household staff of housekeeper, butler and maid were present. Pauline Allen’s housekeeper, Celeste was delightful as was the frail Butler, played by Vince Webb. Fanny was played by Jean Evans-Loude who only had to look out into the audience with her huge, worried eyes and earnest observations to make me smile, and that was before she was hypnotised!

The plot was further enriched by Lewis Holt Junior’s Lestrade who also doubled up as Van Helsing. 

A radio plot is nothing without the sound and the efforts of the two soundmen, Darren Nudds and Chris Tattersall were really entertaining and well considered. A review of this particular show would not be complete either without a word to the director – the script will only ever get a play so far but the thought that goes into creating the energy and variety of staging is always the invisible sparkle in any show. It was very present in this performance and also a credit to Vince that not one word was lost – clarity and diction of the dialogue was absolute.  

A great evening, well done everyone!

Katie Jones

NODA Representative

District 7

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