Holmes under the Hammer, another amazing production from the wonderful Rye Players, was performed at St Mary’s Church Rye on Saturday September 28 as part of the Rye Arts Festival.
For those who missed it, it is on next Friday October 5, at the Ellen Terry Barn Theatre, Smallhythe.
Oliver Brooks, who penned this masterpiece wrote: “The genesis of Holmes Under the Hammer came about during a push to stay creative during the Covid lockdown. During this period, I worked on building up my illustration portfolio and continued writing. Writing a play was just a bit of fun to see whether or not I could. This was the first time I had written a play, but I write scripts for my comics and graphic novels and as a teenager, I used to write screenplays for films that would have no chance of being made, so I understood the format.
“I never dreamed that the Rye Players would ever produce it. I never wrote with any particular actor in mind, focusing more on the characters themselves. I trust the Players well enough to know they would excel in any role. Patricia Driver invited me to the auditions where we tried every possible Holmes / Watson dynamic, because that was key. You could have two great actors to play the detective and his good friend, but if you don’t buy their chemistry, then the whole project would be wasted. Fortunately, we found the perfect duo in Xan Kite as Holmes and Stuart Clark as Watson.
“The idea came about during a time when I was seeking some of the lesser known Sherlock Holmes films. I have been a fan of the character since early childhood, so am all too familiar with Jeremy Brett, Basil Rathbone, and one of my favourite films, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes directed by Billy Wilder. But, I started watching some of the more forgotten adaptations like The Speckled Band with Raymond Massey, or some of the Arthur Wontner films from the 1930s. Living in this Conan-Doyle headspace, I began formulating ideas for my own Sherlock Holmes story, only infused with an Oliver Brooks cartoon sense of humour. I wanted to bring a different style of comedy to the stage, one inspired by Looney Tunes, or the Zucker-Abrams films, as opposed to the double-entendre school. We only go for single entendres in this script.
“The most difficult aspect of writing the play was anticipating what could be achieved on stage. As a cartoonist, I have an unlimited budget with ink and paper. I could write a scenario in which an alien beams into the middle of a school play, but in theatre you have certain limitations of budget and accessibility. However, limitations are a good thing in creative exploits, becoming a useful brain teaser. When I passed the script off to the Players I gave them full creative consent to alter things if needed, as they have been doing this longer than I have. However, it doesn’t appear that they changed much at all. I am rather proud of the madness I have wrought.
“At the moment I have no plans to write another play, this has ticked that particular box. I wouldn’t mind writing something inspired by the Old Dark House mysteries of the early 20th century, like The Seven Keys to Baldpate, or The Cat and the Canary, but we will see. Perhaps I could finally write that ode to Wagnerian Opera, Rye Niebelungen.”
Pat Driver, who lives and breathes all things theatrical, produced the play with her characteristic style and flair.
Stuart Clark, who plays Watson, explains how he became involved with the Rye Players.
“I joined Rye Players about eighteen months ago after a major life event. I wrote a list of things I wanted to try and do that both challenged and terrified me. I got a very small part in Much Ado About Nothing which suited me fine. I found an amazing bunch of people who were passionate about acting, and most of all, having fun. With under a month to go, the male lead of the play was unable to continue and the director asked whether I would consider taking on the role of Benedict, and I said absolutely not, then changed my mind. I am awful at learning lines, and this was quite ‘wordy’ to say the least.
“But, with a lot of support and encouragement I managed to bungle my way through it. I have since been in last year’s critically acclaimed (my kids and dog liked it, that’s counts, right?) panto, an unrehearsed murder mystery, playing Dr Watson and currently rehearsing this years panto (tickets on sale soon). With Rye Players I have found not only a place where I can forget the world for a few hours a week and be someone totally different, but I have been accepted into a community, dedicated people from all walks of life, somewhere safe to be yourself, to be accepted whoever you are, a place that feels like home!”
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Tony Ham , Tony Ham .