Welcome!
The pipe, the coat, the sharp wit, and the even sharper mind Sherlock Holmes is an iconic figure we all know and love, and having recently moved to the UK, I was naturally drawn to one of its most celebrated literary characters.
Collaboration has been at the heart of our rehearsal process. I have been continually impressed by the imagination, initiative, and ideas this cast has brought into the rehearsal room. They have approached their roles with curiosity and confidence, and our rehearsals have been full of energy and laughter. Watching their work develop has been a true joy.
As always, a production like this is only possible through the collaboration and support of the wonderful team at Radley College. My sincere thanks go to Ethan Su, our fantastic student director, for his initiative and leadership throughout the process. Thank you also to the incredible design team, production staff, and backstage crew, whose creativity and hard work have transformed our stage into the bustling streets of London and the dangerous lairs of its criminals. Finally, thank you to the friends and families of our cast and crew for your continued support of the Arts.
I have loved getting to know each and every one of these students and witnessing their passion for theatre and for the special sense of community that a production creates. I hope you enjoy stepping into this world of intrigue, intellect, and adventure with us.
The game’s afoot!
Amelia Ayres (Director)
The story of Sherlock Holmes has fascinated audiences for over a century. Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, Holmes quickly became the world’s most famous detective. At a time when London was the world’s largest city, society was grappling with rapid industrial growth, rising crime, and sharp divisions between rich and poor, Holmes’ razor-sharp deductions, scientific experiments, and fearless pursuit of justice reassured readers that even the darkest mysteries of modern life could be solved.
Set in 1890s London, this stage adaption opens with the city in the grip of crime and scandal. At the heart of the mystery is Wiggins, a young man in possession of a packet of letters written by the Prince of Bohemia to his late sister. If revealed, these letters could ruin a royal marriage and spark an international scandal.
The letters soon attract the attention of the criminal couple Madge and James Larrabee, who plot to steal them for blackmail. To carry out their scheme, they enlist Sid Prince, a cunning safecracker, and ultimately turn to the most dangerous man in London—the notorious
Enter Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson, hired to recover the letters and prevent disaster. Holmes soon crosses paths with Wiggins, the Larrabees, and Moriarty in a high-stakes battle of wits. Along the way, he navigates a vibrant cross-section of newsboys shouting headlines, “suffragettes” protesting in the streets, and petty criminals who complicate the case bringing the bustling world of Victorian London vividly to life.
The Cast
NEWSBOY ONE ...................a hard-working lad
Gabriel Beary
NEWSBOY TWO ...................always chasing the next headline Merlin Roskill
NEWSBOY THREE .......knows London’s secrets before breakfast Oliver Ward
FORMAN .............................an unusual butler
Harry Ferguson
MADGE LARRABEE ..............up to no good Danik Tame
JAMES LARRABEE ...............can’t be trusted
TIMMY ..............................a page boy who keeps his ears open
SID PRINCE ........................a natty safecracker
SHERLOCK HOLMES ...............’nuff said
WIGGINS .................not your typical damsel in distress
BASSICK ....................gives women’s rights a bad name
GINGER ..............................the less said the better
PEPPER ..............................no friend to law and order
FLOWER WOMAN .................a not-so-pretty thief
ELEGANT MAN ....................polish intact, pride stolen
GENTLEMAN .......................no friend of suffragettes
DETECTIVE ONE ..........................curse of the criminal class
DETECTIVE TWO..........................muscle of the department
Arthur Weatherby
James Walsh
Ollie Fry
William Hampton
Luke Stirling
Adam Larsen
Hector Kojima
Rory Cassidy
Felix Worden
Christian Rizzi
Gil Ormiston
Thomas Tughan
Harry Eddleston
PROFESSOR MORIARTY ...........the Napoleon of Crime. Beware! Hugo Sharrocks
JOHN ..................................Moriarty’s secretary, no scruples
MATCHBOY ........................he’ll burn London down
DR. WATSON ......................Holmes’ colleague, good sort
Zachary Bryant
Zachary Ormerod
Caspar Bates
MRS. HUDSON...................steak-and-kidney pie is her specialty Bertie Millar
LORD EDWIN .....................snobbery in Baker Street
Henry Harland
PRINCE CARL ......................in trouble far from home Luca Ilinic
LESTRADE ...................Scotland Yard’s finest, according to them Monty Craig
GUS ...............................a real gasser
Tom Utley
BASKERVILLE.....................Sherlock is his last hope Charlie Lindgren
The Backstage Team
Production Manager: Matt Barker
Costume Designer: Lianne Oakley-Rowland
Costume Assistant: Nina Baker
Set Construction: Jon Goodall
Student Director: Ethan Su
Lighting Operator: Christopher Coperman
Sound Operator: Jamie Lai
Assistant Stage Manager: Jago Behagg
Scenes
ACT ONE
Scene One: Drawing Room At The Larrabees
Scene Two: Professor Moriarty’s Underground Office
Scene Three: Sherlock Holmes’ Flat
ACT TWO
Scene One: An Abandoned Warehouse
Scene Two: Sherlock Holmes’ Flat
It has been a delightful experience to assist in directing this play. As a director, I have aimed to create an environment where the actors could freely brainstorm and discuss new ideas, exploring different interpretations of their characters. One thing I’ve found very enjoyable about the rehearsal process is the positive attitude of the cast. Everyone was eager to make this play the best it could be through offering thoughtful, creative ideas, which showed strong ownership of their roles. I hope the audience will enjoy the chemistry of the cast, which really adds to the charm of Sherlock Holmes!
Ethan Su (Student Director)
Many thanks go to:
Radley Video for their filming; Victoria Buse and Amber Burton for their support and backstage supervision; Meg Snaith for set painting; the catering department for setting up; the Common Room for participating in the promo posters; and Andrew Walmsley for his photography.
Introducing...
William Hampton as Sherlock Holmes
Stepping into the deerstalker as Sherlock Holmes has been both a challenge and incredibly fun. Exploring his sharp intellect, confidence and eccentricity pushed me to be bolder and more precise on stage. This role has strengthened my focus, character work and ensemble skills, helping me grow in confidence and versatility as an actor. I took inspiration from various different Sherlocks to help me find my own version of this iconic character. I’ve loved the whole process from rehearsals to costume fitting and it’s been a joy.
Introducing... Hugo Sharrocks as Professor Moriarty
Playing Professor Moriarty in the Remove Play has been an incredible experience for me as a growing actor. These plays rehearsals have been brilliant and there is no one better to thank than Miss Ayres who helped me through all of it. I couldn’t have asked for a better role and so I have performed Professor Moriarty to my best ability. When looking at this role I took inspiration from other forms Moriarty has taken through the years, such as the recent BBC adaptation and the Sherlock Holmes film, however each Moriarty is unique so I’ve added my own, cruel flair to my performance.
I hope you enjoy the show!
Coming soon...
The 6.1 play, Thu 12th & Fri 13th March, 7.45pm
‘Dead Poets Society’
Old boy and English teacher, John Keating, is introduced to students from Wellton Academy, an all-boys independent school, that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. Using unorthodox methods, he reaches out to his class, who face enormous academic pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students learn to break out of their shells, and pursue their dreams. However, when a student's dreams do not align with their parents' expectations, tragedy comes calling.