Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas: A Festive Tale of Mirth and Mayhem
The unlikely union of Sherlock Holmes, played by Humphrey Ker, and Dr Watson, played by David Reed, has brought a welcome dose of festive cheer to Birmingham's theatre scene. In this clever adaptation, the iconic detective duo must navigate a series of murders linked to the traditional Christmas carol, 'The 12 Days of Christmas.' The result is a delightful, if slightly absurd, romp through Victorian London, where our intrepid sleuths must untangle a web of clues and characters to uncover the identity of the killer.
As with any good whodunit, the plot is built around the clever use of the song's lyrics, which provide a tantalizing trail for Holmes and Watson to follow. The duo's banter, reminiscent of the tall-short dynamic between John Cleese and Andrew Sachs in Fawlty Towers, adds a welcome layer of comedic relief to the proceedings.
But Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is more than just a clever plot device – it's also a celebration of the reunited creative partnership between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show features seven new songs, plus a reworked instrumental suite, showcasing the duo's signature blend of style and substance. Standout numbers like 'The Dead of Winter' and 'Houses Are Not Holmes' demonstrate that, even after decades apart, Rice and Lloyd Webber remain two of the most talented musical theatre collaborators working today.
While some may view this show as a nostalgic curiosity, it's clear that Ker and Reed have done something special here. The script is full of clever anachronisms and witty jabs at sexism, Birmingham's football rivals, and crime fiction tropes. The ensemble cast, including Helena Wilson and Deborah Tracey, shines in their roles, bringing a welcome level of depth to the proceedings.
Ultimately, Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is a heartwarming and entertaining festive treat that will appeal to fans of both Sherlock Holmes and musical theatre alike. Don't miss your chance to experience this unique blend of detective work, witty banter, and catchy tunes before it disappears on January 18th.
The unlikely union of Sherlock Holmes, played by Humphrey Ker, and Dr Watson, played by David Reed, has brought a welcome dose of festive cheer to Birmingham's theatre scene. In this clever adaptation, the iconic detective duo must navigate a series of murders linked to the traditional Christmas carol, 'The 12 Days of Christmas.' The result is a delightful, if slightly absurd, romp through Victorian London, where our intrepid sleuths must untangle a web of clues and characters to uncover the identity of the killer.
As with any good whodunit, the plot is built around the clever use of the song's lyrics, which provide a tantalizing trail for Holmes and Watson to follow. The duo's banter, reminiscent of the tall-short dynamic between John Cleese and Andrew Sachs in Fawlty Towers, adds a welcome layer of comedic relief to the proceedings.
But Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is more than just a clever plot device – it's also a celebration of the reunited creative partnership between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show features seven new songs, plus a reworked instrumental suite, showcasing the duo's signature blend of style and substance. Standout numbers like 'The Dead of Winter' and 'Houses Are Not Holmes' demonstrate that, even after decades apart, Rice and Lloyd Webber remain two of the most talented musical theatre collaborators working today.
While some may view this show as a nostalgic curiosity, it's clear that Ker and Reed have done something special here. The script is full of clever anachronisms and witty jabs at sexism, Birmingham's football rivals, and crime fiction tropes. The ensemble cast, including Helena Wilson and Deborah Tracey, shines in their roles, bringing a welcome level of depth to the proceedings.
Ultimately, Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is a heartwarming and entertaining festive treat that will appeal to fans of both Sherlock Holmes and musical theatre alike. Don't miss your chance to experience this unique blend of detective work, witty banter, and catchy tunes before it disappears on January 18th.
! The idea of them solving murders linked to 'The 12 Days of Christmas' is literally genius 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that they're celebrating Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's partnership again? Those guys are total legends 
! I'm definitely going to check this out on Friyay night... who needs a movie when you have theatre, right? 
The way they've woven the Christmas carol into the plot is so clever, I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was behind all the murders! 
I'm a big fan of both Sherlock Holmes and musical theatre, so this show had everything for me. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and festive night out. 
... like, who wouldn't want to see the genius detective sleuthing around Christmas carols? It's so bloody brilliant how they wove in the song lyrics as clues - pure mastermind stuff 
... it's going to be gone before you know it!
I mean, who wouldn't want to see Sherlock Holmes singing and dancing his way through a festive murder mystery? It's not like he's got more pressing things to do... like solving crimes or anything. Anyway, the fact that Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber are still going strong is definitely a good thing for musical theatre - I mean, it's not like they're getting old or anything 
It's actually kinda genius, though - they use all those lyrics to create clues and stuff. And the musical numbers aren't half bad either! The whole thing is just so festive and fun, even if it does feel like a bit of a weird mashup 
.
'The Dead of Winter' has me humming it already 
the new songs sound amazing too can't wait to see it live on stage 
? And don't even get me started on how "coincidentally" this show is premiering right before Christmas, when our minds are most malleable 
.
, you know? But I gotta admit, this one seems alright. The way they've woven the lyrics from 'The 12 Days of Christmas' into the plot is pretty clever. And the banter between Ker and Reed sounds hilarious 
. Anyway, I guess if you're into musical theatre and Sherlock Holmes, this might be worth checking out. Just don't expect me to be singing along to 'The Dead of Winter' anytime soon 
. The chemistry between Ker and Reed is insane they play off each other like pros! I love how they incorporated the Christmas song into the story, it added an extra layer of fun to the whole thing 
. It's not just a Sherlock Holmes show, it's also a celebration of their partnership which is really cool to see in action 