Review: Sherlock Holmes, The Hunt for Moriarty at Shakespeare North Playhouse

Produced by Blackeyed Theatre and adapted by Nick Lane, Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty at Shakespeare North Playhouse is a crowd-pleasing, well-paced night of theatre that serves both brain and heart. It keeps the plot moving, gives the central partnership room to breathe, and trusts audiences to enjoy a good puzzle without being patronised. The result is an accessible, entertaining evening that feels deliberately made for local theatergoers.

London, 1901. As the British Empire fights distant wars under the waning gaze of a monarch in decline, whispers of scandal begin to echo through the halls of power. A fracture—subtle but widening—threatens to unravel the delicate balance between Crown, Parliament, and Empire. At the heart of this looming crisis, a hidden manipulator orchestrates a final, lethal gambit, pulling strings from the shadows.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are drawn into the unfolding chaos, their loyalties tested and their pasts resurrected. With time slipping away and trust in short supply, they must navigate a treacherous web of influence and deception.

Nick Lane’s adaptation reshapes familiar Conan Doyle material into a single, driving narrative. The play strips away excess and keeps what matters: the chase, the clues, and the shifting loyalties that turn a simple case into something larger. It balances exposition with forward motion so the story never stalls; instead it consistently drops small revelations that keep the audience engaged. There are twists that feel earned and a through-line of urgency that pushes the action towards a clear, satisfying close.

The relationship between Holmes and Watson is the production’s steady centre. Holmes is given a controlled, watchful quality; he is brisk in thought and economical in feeling, which makes his rare flashes of vulnerability noteable. Watson’s narration provides warmth and humanity, offering the audience a moral compass and a friendly guide through the action. The two actors work together with genuine chemistry, making their partnership feel lived-in rather than performative.

The supporting cast are versatile and dependable. They switch cleanly between small roles, bringing texture to the world of the play. Minor characters are sketched quickly but recognisably, which helps maintain momentum without losing clarity. Comic moments are handled with restraint, providing breathing-space without undermining the bigger stakes.

Direction keeps scenes short and purposeful. Instead of big, ornate set pieces, the production relies on economical design: a handful of furniture pieces repurposed, clever use of levels, and lighting choices that move the audience from study to street to committee room without fuss. Sound cues and music are used sparingly but effectively, heightening tension when necessary and giving quieter moments a sense of space.

The production finds a steady rhythm. It invites the audience to follow the clues and rewards attention with small payoffs throughout the evening. Pacing is brisk but not breathless; there is time for character moments that add emotional weight to the procedural elements. Humour appears at well-judged intervals, offering relief and humanising the cast without turning the piece into pastiche.

For audiences who enjoy solving things as much as watching them be solved, this is satisfying theatre. For those who come for the characters, the central performances give enough depth to make the stakes feel personal.

Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty at Shakespeare North Playhouse is the sort of production that does its job well: it entertains, it intrigues, and it respects its audience. With solid performances, clear direction, and economical design, it makes for an enjoyable night out. A must see show if you want a tidy, clever mystery served with a human centre and a pace that keeps you leaning forward.

Holmes is played by Mark Knightley  with Ben Owora as the ever-faithful Dr Watson. Pippa Caddick takes on dual roles as Irene Adler and Mrs Hudson, while Gavin Molloy doubles as Moriarty and Inspector Lestrade. 

Sherlock Holmes -The Hunt for Moriarty
Until 8 November
Shakespeare North Playhouse
Tickets