★★★★
Adelaide Fringe Festival. Goodwood Theatre. 19 Feb 2023
Watson: The Final Problem is a stage adaptation in the form of a substantial monologue of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, especially ‘The Final Problem’. Sherlock Holmes finally has it out with his nemesis Professor Moriarty and meets his end (or does he?). Wanting the put the record straight – what did actually happen to Sherlock Holmes? – the story is told by Dr Watson who recounts aspects of his own early life (as a commissioned officer in the British army) through to how he and Holmes first meet, and finally to their last adventure trying to catch and outsmart Moriarty.
If one has read the Sherlock Holmes stories, particularly ‘The Final Problem’, one knows how it is all going to turn out unless the playwright has taken liberties with the Conan Doyle’ original. As it turns out, the text follows the original and so there are no surprises. So, what’s the point of difference? A quality theatrical performance relies on an interesting plot, characters that are distinctive and about which you care, text that is attention-grabbing and comes to life when spoken, creation and resolution of tension, and on-stage spectacle and physicality that holds your imagination. Watson: The Final Problem has most of these elements to varying degrees, which makes it quality theatre, but this reviewer found the brooding tension to be largely unvaried which held the show back from being great.
Not only is Tim Marriott the co-writer of the script (with Bert Coules), he also performs it. Coming in at sixty minutes this is no mean feat for a single actor, and it takes someone of Marriott’s skill and expertise to pull it off. He plays a resolute Dr Watson with a quintessential English manner, and it’s an object lesson in stagecraft. Marriott’s approach and body language is well chosen for the aged war veteran Watson, and his diction is flawless. His physicality is impressive, as he throws himself about the stage in sync with a masterful sound underscore as Watson recalls brutal aspects of the Anglo-Afghanistan War in which he served. Mariott’s vocal skills are polished: his clarity and articulation is first-rate. He moves around the set with purpose, which is tastefully decorated in the style of befitting a gentleman in Victorian England.
Marriott is a masterful story teller, and a superb actor, and Watson: The Final Problem is worth seeing for that reason alone. It’ll have you constantly sitting on the edge of your seat.
Kym Clayton
When: 12 Feb to 18 Mar
Where: Multiple Venues
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
