This Autumn Black RAT Productions and Blackwood Miners’ Institute present a brand-new comedy based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated sleuth in THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. The show has been created especially for Welsh venues and is supported by Arts Council of Wales. Produced by The Invisible Man team that toured to huge acclaim last autumn, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is an original comedy written and directed by Richard Tunley with music and songs by Kieran Bailey. Design is by George Alex Hainsworth, lighting by Robin Bainbridge, costume design by Abigail Gould and sound design by Stephen Bradley.
This Sherlock mystery with a difference is touring Wales from through to 11th November visiting 16 venues across the country.
The energetic and multi- talented, full of energy cast of four is – Daniel Llewelyn–Williams, Owen Pugh, Zoë Davies with Richard Tunley is standing in for Pedro Lloyd Gardiner until he returns from injury (get well soon Pedro). They have brought all the familiar characters from the classic Sherlock stories to life in Black RAT style combining theatrical drama and physical comedy.
We were at the production when it pulled into the Memo Arts Centre in Barry, and joined the full house for this one night only performance at this fantastic venue.
I have to say that it’s been a long time so I laughed so often during a theatre show. Daniel and Owen are superb as the crime solving duo. Zoë is an absolute hoot from start to finish, and credit to Richard who is in and out of more costumes than a night on a RuPaul Drag Race show.
Holmes is the perfect mix of comic madness, with everything from bashing Bishops, to a rapping Queen Victoria – I kid you not. The jokes and innuendos land pretty much every time, the music is funny and sometimes unexpected, and I say this in the most positive way possible, you really can’t wait for the break, if only to catch your breath.
You will laugh, a lot, and are swept along with this frenetic cast who are masterful with this slightly bonkers script, which is something Black Rat are themselves masters of.
Occasionally, they break the fourth wall and have a chat with us in the audience, which is always a great moment in a production. They get it just right with the perfect amount of chat to ‘us’ before slipping back into the story.
It’s a little rude, but not in a way that offends, in fact some of the double entendres are picked up by those of us who are that way inclined, which means you are perfectly safe taking along younger members of the family (11+), and they will love it too.
So, what did the audience at the Memo in Barry think of the show? We caught up with them at the end of the production to find out. We also spoke to Holmes himself, Daniel Llewelyn-Williams…..
This is a long tour but for most of the venues across Wales it is a ‘one night only’ thing. I would urge you to grab a ticket, support this superb company, but more importantly, have yourself a brilliant night at the theatre. For us, this is what live theatre is all about.
All the venue and ticket details are at the bottom of the page.
Director Richard Tunley is delighted to take Black RAT back on the road again to entertain the people of Wales. Richard said
“What a joy it has been to create a new adventure for the greatest detective of all time and his trusty side kick. It has been great fun to write and I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room.
I know this talented cast will bring this new mystery adventure to life along with Keiron Bailey’s amazing songs, all designed to have us all laughing out loud. I am sure audiences across Wales will love this piece as much as they have enjoyed our previous productions. We can’t wait to go on tour and share this with them! ”
There will also be BSL interpreted performances by Tony Evans and audio description by Alastair Sill at some of the dates on the tour, following the action and mayhem as it unfolds.
The production has an age suitability of 11+
Black RAT Productions is well known for creating and touring dynamic and entertaining theatre across Wales. As well as The Invisible Man last autumn, other past successful productions by Richard Tunley and Black RAT team have included: Bouncers, Up ’n’ Under, Neville’s Island, Boeing Boeing, Bedroom Farce, Loot, One Man Two Guvnors and The 39 Steps.
You can find out more about Black Rat HERE their site is going through a bit of development at the moment. You can find the to the venues Box Office’s to book tickets, although to save time we’ve added them below.
Autumn Tour Dates
- 11th October 7.30pm – The Met Abertillery (TICKETS HERE)
- 12th October 7.30pm – The Coliseum, Aberdare (TICKETS HERE)
- 13th October 7.30pm – Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon (TICKETS HERE)
- 14th October 7.30pm – The Park & Dare Treorchy (TICKETS HERE) (BSL and Audio Described performance)
- 18th October 7.30pm – The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl (TICKETS HERE) (BSL and Audio Described performance)
- 19th October 7.30pm – The Lyric, Carmarthen (TICKETS HERE)
- 20th October 7.30pm – Mwldan, Cardigan (TICKETS HERE)
- 21st October 7.30pm – Pontardawe Arts Centre (TICKETS HERE)
- 24th October 7.30pm – Stiwt Theatre, Wrexham (TICKETS HERE)
- 1st November 7.30pm – The Ffwrnes, Llanelli (TICKETS HERE)
- 3rd November 7.30p.m – Aberystwyth Arts Centre (TICKETS HERE)
- 4th November 7.45pm – The Hafren, Newtown (TICKETS HERE)
- 6th November 7.30p.m – Borough Theatre Abergavenny (01873 850805)
- 9th – 11th November 7.45pm – Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff (TICKETS HERE) (BSL and Audio Described performance on 11th November )
