Blackeyed Theatre’s Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear comes to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre

After delighting audiences around the world with their tour of The Sign of Four, Blackeyed Theatre brings to life The Valley of Fear at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre later this month.
By Sue Wilkinson
Published 3rd May 2023, 08:44 BST
Updated 3rd May 2023, 09:33 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

The show sees Luke Barton and Joseph Derrington, who played Holmes and Watson in The Sign Of Four, reprise their critically-acclaimed roles as the iconic duoThe show sees Luke Barton and Joseph Derrington, who played Holmes and Watson in The Sign Of Four, reprise their critically-acclaimed roles as the iconic duo
The show sees Luke Barton and Joseph Derrington, who played Holmes and Watson in The Sign Of Four, reprise their critically-acclaimed roles as the iconic duo

The world premiere combines original music, stylish theatricality and magical storytelling. The original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story has been adapted for the stage by Nick Lane, who also directs.

Nick is a long-time collaborator with the Stephen Joseph – he has been writing the theatre’s Christmas show for the past seven years, including last year’s popular Cinderella.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With Elizabeth Godber, he co-adapted the theatre’s recent smash hit The Comedy of Errors (more or less).

A mysterious, coded message is received, a warning of imminent danger, drawing Sherlock Holmes and the faithful Dr Watson into a tale of intrigue and murder stretching from 221B Baker Street to an ancient, moated manor house to the bleak Pennsylvanian Vermissa Valley.

Faced with a trail of bewildering clues, Holmes begins to unearth a darker, wider web of corruption, a secret society and the sinister work of one Professor Moriarty.

“The Valley of Fear isn't a story I've ever seen brought to the stage – possibly because it's two tales in one, almost, part of it taking place in England, another part in the US,” said Nick.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The thrill for me, being a huge fan of crime fiction on both sides of the Atlantic, was in exploring the different tones of the two narratives; points where they mirror one another, points where they diverge... It was a challenge, but an exciting one.

"We'll be working with choreographers and fight directors as well as a composer to create something thrilling and visceral. Thematically, both stories explore loyalty – but to say more about that might give away a twist I'm keen to keep to myself.”

The show sees Luke Barton and Joseph Derrington, who played Holmes and Watson in The Sign Of Four, reprise their roles.

It can be seen at the Stephen Joseph from Thursday May 18 to Saturday May 20.

Tickets from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com

Related topics:Stephen Joseph TheatreScarborough