A masterful solo performance breathes new life into the world’s most famous detective, as Sherlock Holmes steps out of the pages and onto the Edinburgh stage in a gripping, atmospheric hour of theatre.
The timeless hero Sherlock Holmes is brought to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe stage at the Assembly Rooms in George Street this year. This one-hander is spearheaded by a sublime turn from Nigel Miles-Thomas who brings some of Holmes’ most legendary cases to audiences in this reflective and engaging piece.
Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act sees the renowned detective return from two years of retirement in Sussex, back to 221B Baker Street following the funeral of his former colleague Dr Watson. Holmes recounts some of the key cases from his career, his most notorious adversaries, and explores the detective’s unsettled childhood and addictions.
Written by Conan Doyle expert David Stuart Davies, The Last Act serves as something of a Sherlock Holmes greatest hits, tapping into some of the detective’s most legendary cases while tying them together in a narrative that gives insight into the psyche and relationships of Holmes. Taking on a multitude of characters from the Holmes canon, performer Nigel Miles-Thomas steers events with a steady gravitas, transfixing the audience in quieter moments, from Holmes’ first meeting with Watson to reflections on his relationships with women, or more dramatic sequences such as battling the villainous James Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls.
Director Gareth Armstrong manages the transitions between spectacle and insight with skilful ease, utilising smoke effects and well-judged lighting cues to create a suitably transporting Victorian ambience. Armstrong’s direction and Davies’ narrative glide between Holmes’ cases, allowing each to shine without feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The Adventure of the Abbey Grange, The Final Problem, and of course The Hound of the Baskervilles are all explored in this punchy sixty-minute piece.
Nigel Miles-Thomas embodies Holmes with a true professionalism, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the character and his legacy. He skilfully captures the human being and flaws behind the austere mastermind, balancing depictions of Holmes’ detective prowess and detailed observations with his own conflicts, whether over his cocaine addiction, his willingness to manipulate to solve a case, or his disillusionment with the innovations of the 20th century. Miles-Thomas brings impressive versatility, portraying characters from Holmes’ lore including the astute former military man Watson, the insidious Moriarty, and Holmes’ rigid brother Mycroft.
Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act is a truly absorbing love letter to the work of Arthur Conan Doyle and the adventures of one of Britain’s most loved literary heroes. Thanks to an accomplished performance from Nigel Miles-Thomas, David Stuart Davies’s insight into the world of Holmes, and Gareth Armstrong’s punchy direction, The Last Act is an undeniable treat.
Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act runs until August 24 at the Assembly Rooms. Tickets are available at edfringe.com.
