BWW Reviews: SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY by Katie Forgette Ultimately Disappoints

If an example existed to explain the value of copyright laws, Katie Forgette's SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY might well be it. Since the copyright has expired on the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson they are now in the public domain and authors other than the originator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, can use these characters in their own works. In the case of Katie Forgette, she has used them to craft a stake-less, mediocre play with more marketability than merit, while stealing freely from Doyle's stories (notably, "A Scandal in Bohemia"), Wilde and Shakespeare without capturing any of the panache or humor of any of them. Sadly, the best moments in the script are actually from "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "Romeo and Juliet".

The set-up is rife with possibilities that are woefully unexplored. There could be such an entertaining tale made from these characters:
Lillie Langtry, the titular" Jersey Lily," a legendary Victorian actress (as well as paramour to future King Edward VII); Irish playwright Oscar Wilde; Abdul Karim, the controversial personal attendant to Queen Victoria; and Holmes' nemesis Moriarty; not to mention the iconic fictional characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

The key problem is that Katie Forgette's script introduces us to a Holmes who has already solved the case. This leaves us with a play that has no tension, mystery or deeper conflict. That also means there are no suspense or thrills. There are all the right elements to create some good camp farce, but for the most part, that doesn't happen either.

The script contains a list of the elements of a good mystery: a chloroformed and later abducted actress, incriminating love letters, forgery, blackmail, a valuable necklace, lies, deceptions, guns, knives, bondage, cross-dressing, and a duel. Instead of the fun expected of a traditional Sherlock Holmes story, we get an evening that consists mostly of characters standing around and chatting. In fact, the evening plays like a piece of fan fiction.

Director Michael Stuart doesn't manage to infuse any energy to this limp script and delivers some fairly static staging. There is no sense of camaraderie between Jason Newman's Sherlock and J. Ben Wolfe's Watson. Newman also clearly went up on his lines in three key plot moments. In all, the evening seemed under rehearsed.

Glaring inconsistencies for 1893 London (like a ball point pen replete with pocket clip in a clearly 1950's desk set) were also distracting.

There are some bright spots to the evening... Andrea Osborn is utterly enchanting as Lily Langtry and Bernadette Nason is delightful as Irma Tory, her maid. They both deliver the style and flair that a Sherlock Holmes story requires. The costuming, by Buffy Manners is first rate.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY is froth that doesn't require much of its audience. Enjoy a good meal out with a couple of cocktails, and then go see this original Holmes' tale not expecting much. You won't be disappointed.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY by Katie Forgette

Running time: Approximately two hours, one intermission.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE JERSEY LILY, produced by Austin Playhouse (6001 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752.) November 21 - December 21, 2014. Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m.
Call the box office at (512) 476 0084 for tickets or go to: http://austinplayhouse.ticketleap.com/

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