New Sherlock Holmes rock musical to make world premiere

A new Sherlock Holmes rock musical will make its world premiere next spring.

The new show, titled Sherlock Holmes and the Poison Wood, will run at Newbury’s The Watermill Theatre from 2 February – 16 March 2024.

Sherlock Holmes and the Poison Wood is the latest collaboration between award-winning writer and director P Burton-Morgan and composer Ben Glasstone (The Rhythmics, Cells), adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories.

The part of Sherlock will be shared over the course of the run by Connor Bannister (All or Nothing, West End) and Dylan Wood (Moorcroft and Orphans, National Theatre of Scotland). Me’sha Bryan (The Color Purple, UK Tour; As You Like It, Regents Park Open Air Theatre) will play Dr Amanda Watson, Gillian Kirkpatrick (Hairspray, London Coliseum; American Psycho, Almeida Theatre) will play Jan Moriarty, Richard P. Peralta (Much Ado About Nothing UK Tour, Ramps on the Moon and Sheffield Theatres) will play Inspector Marlon Lestrade, EM Williams (After the Act, Breach Theatre at New Diorama) will play Yorri Tremaly and Loren O’Dair (Peter Pan, National Theatre at The Troubadour; Ghost Stories by Candlelight, HighTide Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe) will play Sasha.

London 2024. Doggedly pursuing success as a private detective, Sherlock Holmes is faced with a new case; an unexplained death in the infamous environmental protest camp at Oakenwood. Supported by his media-savvy landlady, nutritionist Dr Watson, Sherlock’s keen eye for detail and tireless pursuit of the truth has brought a growing online fandom and an uncomfortable intrusion into his private life.

Delving into the details, Sherlock suspects that arch-nemesis, tech billionaire and international potato magnate Jan Moriarty is at the root of the case, but the game’s afoot and they must move fast to uncover the truth and foil her plans. In a world of cancel culture, deepfakes, and digital manipulation, only self-discovery and acceptance can unlock this case.

Hashtag Elementary. Hashtag Case Closed.

The musical will be directed by, and with book & lyrics by P Burton-Morgan, music & lyrics by Ben Glasstone, set & lighting design by William Reynolds, video design by Matt Powell, sound design by Beth Duke and choreography by Mark Smith.

For more information and tickets, visit watermill.org.uk.