About "Miss Holmes" by Lily Houston

For those who love a good mystery and would like to see a feminist spin on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, Miss Holmes is a must see. The show follows the adventures of Miss Sherlock Holmes, an analytical genius, and her companion, Dr. Dorothy Watson, a doctor at the London Women’s Free Hospital. When Mrs. Lizzie Chapman hires Holmes to track down the anonymous writer who has been sending warning letters to her about her husband, Inspector Thomas Chapman, Holmes discovers an even larger mystery concerning a questionable court case and an unsolved murder. Together, Holmes and Watson must try to crack the case, all while avoiding Holmes’ oppressive brother Mycroft, and proving to their male counterparts that they are capable of whatever a man says they cannot do. 

Miss Holmes features strong lead roles, with excellent female portrayals of the definitive Holmes and Watson characters. I love the quiet strength that Dr. Watson’s character brings to the show, and the impartial frankness of Sherlock Holmes. Additionally, the production has a versatile cast of actors. Frequent costume and character changes are made throughout the show--and are done flawlessly. So many different characters are introduced during the show that it kept me wondering who was going to pop up next.  Miss Holmes has one of the Yorkshire Playhouse’s most ambitious and packed sets, with seven different spaces on the stage. Though compact, the set serves the needs of the show perfectly, from the lofted sitting room to the shadowy, brick alleyway where intrigue awaits.

One of my favorite things about Miss Holmes is the ardent feminism shown throughout it. The production is set during the late 1800’s, when women were still viewed as inferior to men and were expected to be housewives and primary caregivers in the home. The show highlights women who fought to be accepted as equals in the patriarchal society surrounding them.

In addition, Miss Holmes has an intriguing plot line. The characters’ struggles and the underlying mystery of the show had me on the edge of my seat. The characters aren’t black and white, and the twists in the show really kept me guessing as to who the culprit was and how it would all end.

I also admire how well everyone involved with Miss Holmes has adapted in light of COVID. In-person audiences will be limited for this show and the majority of viewers will be watching Holmes from home, but the energy and passion that the cast and crew have brought to the show is amazing to witness. The Playhouse has taken proper COVID precautions for the show. Masks or face shields will be worn by all members of the production and temperatures will be checked before each performance.

Miss Holmes will run February 9-12 at 7:30 P.M., and February 13-14 at 2:00 P.M. You can find tickets (both in person and virtual) on the Yorkshire Playhouse website. If you are attending in person, masks are required and social distancing will be enforced.

By Lily Houston