BWW Reviews: The Alley's SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB Disappoints With Bland, Underwhelming Writing

The Alley Theatre is currently presenting Jeffrey Hatcher's 2011 literary mash-up SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB. The play had its world premiere at The Arizona Theatre Company, and garnered mixed to positive reviews. In the play Jeffrey Hatcher attempts the tall order of mixing the literary genius and worlds of Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. The end result is a bland mystery with an entirely underwhelming climax.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB is set against the historical backdrop of a fragile Europe in 1914. World War I looms on the horizon, and this tale opens in the typical Holmes fashion of Dr. Watson narrating. He explains that he is concerned about his friend because his condition can "only be described as despondent." The response from Sherlock is a laugh-earning wail of "I am despondent!" Other lightly comedic punch lines abound for a while before the plot moves into darker territory. Holmes is depressed as his mind becomes increasingly addled. His melancholy makes him a perfect candidate for the secretive Suicide Club, where society's gentlemen are aided in ending their lives through a murderous hunting game.

Jeffrey Hatcher's premise is promising and complex; however, once the show gets underway the promises made by the author are never truly delivered. Firstly, I am terrible at solving mysteries, but before the play's intermission I had figured out the murderer and the motive. Additionally, Jeffrey Hatcher borrows Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes from Arthur Conan Doyle and borrows the idea of the Suicide Club from Robert Louis Stevenson. Then he molds these significant literary characters and tropes to his own liking in a plot that never achieves the brilliance of either of these writers' works. Instead, audiences are treated to an utterly contrived play that feels more insipid than inspired. The first act is mildly entertaining as the play tries to determine if it is a light British farce or a serious melodrama, and the second act moves into the realm of seemingly unintentional camp as the chase leads Holmes to a magician. Lastly, the blocky, uneven plot is forced into historical contexts, which makes the resolution resolutely artificial and unfulfilling.

Direction by Mark Shanahan and Gregory Boyd keeps the audience awake and attentive to the plot as it unfolds. Their delightfully atmospheric and moody work constantly has us hoping that Jeffrey Hatcher's writing will prove itself worthy of being produced. They have coached their cast and crew to fill the auditorium with long shadows, smoke, mirrors, and all the other tricks necessary in presenting a thrilling evening of murder mystery, but the schlocky writing doesn't give them anything more than stilted dialogue and cardboard characters.

Todd Waite's Sherlock Holmes comes across almost as an intellectual with Autism. He is socially awkward, but possesses more empathy than one would expect. He plays the opening's required melancholia well. As the plot progresses and Holmes begins to deduce and discover, he lands the slightly witty quips given to him by Jeffrey Hatcher and does an excellent job trying to convince the audience that this Holmes is written intriguingly.

Holmes' affable and amiable sidekick, Dr. John Watson, is played by Sidney Williams. At the top of the show, Watson returns to Holmes' side after leaving him for married life. The character bumbles through the first act and inadvertently endangers his self. In the second act he prattles about and somewhat aids Holmes' sleuthing.

The Suicide Club's oddly beguiling Secretary is skillfully acted by Joise de Guzman. Her mannerisms and visage are unconventionally striking, adding the largest doses of intrigue to the performance as the audience yearns to unravel her character. Sadly, when all is laid bare, the pay off given by Jeffrey Hatcher is dreadfully disappointing.

Jay Sullivan voices Nikita Starlov and "Mr. Charles" with a Russian accent and plays the character with tangible duplicity. He adds as much emotional depth as the writing will allow, frantically trying to escape the clutches of the Suicide Club to pursue love.

As Mycroft Holmes, James Black is amusing. Both Holmes square off their intellects against one another, peppering the play with giggle and laugh inducing moments as they compete.

Elizabeth Bunch adeptly portrays Nikita Starlov's love interest, Christiane. Mired in ambiguity, she reveals little about herself to Holmes to Watson.

Melissa Pritchett embodies both Mrs. Hudson and Lucy O'Malley, a West End madam, with genial charm.

The rest of the cast does fine jobs with the mostly underdeveloped characters they are assigned. Each breathes as much life into their various roles as they possibly can. Unfortunately, this skilled collection of actors and actresses can't do as much as we have seen them do before with these assorted two-dimensional personas.

Perhaps the most alluring aspect of the production is Hugh Landwehr's ornately Edwardian Scenic Design. The design uses two levels and The Alley's revolve to seamlessly transition between scenes. Moreover, the design is wondrously oppressive and imposing when it needs to be. Hugh Landwehr's capable and beautiful set deftly does more to build ambience than Jeffrey Hatcher's script.

Paul Gallo's Lighting Design is fantastically moody and ambient. He expertly and gorgeously uses colors, shadows, and darkness to create a foreboding environ for the story to unfold in.

Alejo Vietti's Costume Design is striking and rich. Edwardian fashion is well represented in the design, which utilizes more color than one would expect in a murder mystery. The cuts and patterned fabrics are incredibly attractive, especially on the seemingly Oscar Wilde inspired costume worn by Todd Waite and the sumptuously grand costumes worn by Jay Sullivan and Elizabeth Bunch.

Sound Design and Music Composition by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen is evocative and affective. The music is mixed at a great volume whether it plays in scene transition or as underscore. Likewise, it is appropriately unsettling, adding to the gloom and doom of the play.

Clint Allen's Projection Design is great. My favorite moment in the design appears at the top of act two, as Melissa Pritchett sweeps the floor.

Illusion Design by Jim Steinmeyer and Slight of Hand Coaching by Geoff Sobelle add a fascinating layer of interest to the performance.

Jeffrey Hatcher's dull writing certainly does not make for an enjoyable or memorable evening at the theatre. Despite this, the talent pool at the Alley Theatre does remarkable and commendable jobs with what they have. Each excels at holding our interest throughout the performance. And while this murder mystery aptly killed itself, at least audiences have the Alley's annual Summer Chills presentation to look forward to.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB runs on the Hubbard Stage at the Alley Theatre through June 23, 2013. For more information and ticket, please visit http://www.alleytheatre.org or call (713) 220 - 5700.

All photos by John Everett. Courtesy of the Alley Theatre.

(Left to Right) James Black as Mr. Richards and Jeffrey Bean as Mr. Henry.

Josie de Guzman as Club Secretary.

Elizabeth Bunch as Christiane.

Todd Waite as Sherlock Holmes.

(Left to Right) James Black as Mycroft Holmes and Todd Waite as Sherlock Holmes.

(Left to Right) Todd Waite as Sherlock Holmes and James Black as Mycroft Holmes.

Todd Waite as Sherlock Holmes.

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