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He suspects she's a fraud. Now he's out to prove it.
This theme dominates the opening of "The Penultimate Problem of Sherlock Holmes," a twisted and evocative drama from Umpqua Actors Community Theatre now showing at the Betty Long Unruh Theatre in Roseburg.
Written by John Nassivera, the play reveals the introspective journey of Sherlock Holmes (John Picone), a famous sleuth trying to disprove the existence of supernatural phenomena. As the plot unfolds, though, the audience comes to understand that everything is not as it appears.
The play begins with the introduction of Holmes to Mrs. Piper (Netta Leong), a befuddled woman seeking answers. For quite some time, she's been haunted by spirits who channel their energy through her to speak to the mortal world. Sometimes, they make an appearance, and often, they bash and clang objects to elicit attention. Piper has no control over these occurrences and she wants them to stop.
Holmes, with the aid of his friend, Dr. Watson (Mark Traines), begins by giving Piper a series of tests. As she goes into a trance, they wait for something to happen. That's when the voice of Watson's dead wife, Ellen, declares her happiness and advises Watson to cease worrying about her.
That's also when two ghosts, French investigator Dupin (Bob White) and Holmes' long-lost love, Irene Adler (Emmalyn Garrett) waft through the walls and start spouting nonsensical warnings of destruction and demise to Holmes himself.
Holmes doesn't know what to believe. His eyes and ears tell him these people did visit, and his experiments with potions and powders fail to disprove their existence. So he begins reanalyzing his feelings on fact and fiction, life and death. Only when a sinister and elusive man (Jesse Graff) breaks into Holmes' abode at night is the jarring and unexpected truth revealed.
Although the plot is often slow and plodding, "The Penultimate Problem of Sherlock Holmes" succeeds in keeping the audience guessing.
Picone's debonair and suave persona elevate him into a believable and commendable Holmes. Traines, with the aid of White and Garrett, are worthy sidekicks, who act as catalysts for the play's tumultuous climax. And Graff, with seemingly little effort, spins off a character who is oily and diabolical, egocentric and crazed. Not only is his performance entertaining, it's mesmerizing.
All in all, the play takes the audience on a surreal journey it could never have foretold. Some of the dialogue is stilted and the accents can be rough, but with the guidance of director Denise McIntrye, the entire cast delivers a play dominated by intrigue and suspense. It's definitely a show worthy of further investigation.
At A Glance
WHAT: "The Penultimate Problem of Sherlock Holmes"
WHEN: At 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through May 3 and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 4. The show is sold out April 19.
WHERE: Betty Long Unruh Theatre, 1614 W. Harvard Ave., Roseburg
TICKETS: $9, available at Hanson Jewelers, While Away Books and at the door.
INFORMATION: 673-2125
* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
This theme dominates the opening of "The Penultimate Problem of Sherlock Holmes," a twisted and evocative drama from Umpqua Actors Community Theatre now showing at the Betty Long Unruh Theatre in Roseburg.
Written by John Nassivera, the play reveals the introspective journey of Sherlock Holmes (John Picone), a famous sleuth trying to disprove the existence of supernatural phenomena. As the plot unfolds, though, the audience comes to understand that everything is not as it appears.
The play begins with the introduction of Holmes to Mrs. Piper (Netta Leong), a befuddled woman seeking answers. For quite some time, she's been haunted by spirits who channel their energy through her to speak to the mortal world. Sometimes, they make an appearance, and often, they bash and clang objects to elicit attention. Piper has no control over these occurrences and she wants them to stop.
Holmes, with the aid of his friend, Dr. Watson (Mark Traines), begins by giving Piper a series of tests. As she goes into a trance, they wait for something to happen. That's when the voice of Watson's dead wife, Ellen, declares her happiness and advises Watson to cease worrying about her.
That's also when two ghosts, French investigator Dupin (Bob White) and Holmes' long-lost love, Irene Adler (Emmalyn Garrett) waft through the walls and start spouting nonsensical warnings of destruction and demise to Holmes himself.
Holmes doesn't know what to believe. His eyes and ears tell him these people did visit, and his experiments with potions and powders fail to disprove their existence. So he begins reanalyzing his feelings on fact and fiction, life and death. Only when a sinister and elusive man (Jesse Graff) breaks into Holmes' abode at night is the jarring and unexpected truth revealed.
Although the plot is often slow and plodding, "The Penultimate Problem of Sherlock Holmes" succeeds in keeping the audience guessing.
Picone's debonair and suave persona elevate him into a believable and commendable Holmes. Traines, with the aid of White and Garrett, are worthy sidekicks, who act as catalysts for the play's tumultuous climax. And Graff, with seemingly little effort, spins off a character who is oily and diabolical, egocentric and crazed. Not only is his performance entertaining, it's mesmerizing.
All in all, the play takes the audience on a surreal journey it could never have foretold. Some of the dialogue is stilted and the accents can be rough, but with the guidance of director Denise McIntrye, the entire cast delivers a play dominated by intrigue and suspense. It's definitely a show worthy of further investigation.
At A Glance
WHAT: "The Penultimate Problem of Sherlock Holmes"
WHEN: At 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through May 3 and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 4. The show is sold out April 19.
WHERE: Betty Long Unruh Theatre, 1614 W. Harvard Ave., Roseburg
TICKETS: $9, available at Hanson Jewelers, While Away Books and at the door.
INFORMATION: 673-2125
* You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
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