Sherlock Holmes
In 1887 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published the first two Holmes stories
in Beeton's Christmas Annual and went on to publish four novels and
56 short stories. All but four of the stories were narrated by
Holmes's friend, Dr John H. Watson. The character of Sherlock Holmes
grew tremendously in popularity with the beginning of the first
series of short stories in The Strand Magazine in 1891; further
series of short stories and two serialised novels appeared until
1927. The stories cover a period from around 1875 up to 1907, with a
final case in 1914.
In 2009 Big Finish took on the task of releasing three audio
productions featuring Sherlock Holmes, but unlike most other audio
productions, Big Finish have decided to create adventures based on
stories not penned by Doyle.
Executive producer Nicholas Briggs: "Holmes has been a passion of
mine since childhood. Naturally, I watched all the Basil Rathbone
movies and like many Holmes fans regard the late, great Jeremy
Brett’s performance as definitive. But there have been many great
interpretations of Holmes. I’m rather fond of Peter Cushing in the
role, for example. But I have to say that when I chanced upon Roger
Llewellyn’s performance in his solo shows The Last Act and The Death
and Life, I was mightily impressed. Roger brings a real depth,
passion and pathos to the character.
"My own acting association with the part started in 1999, at exactly
the time I was working on our first Doctor Who audio play, The Sirens
of Time. I was offered and accepted the part of Holmes in a
production of Conan Doyle's play The Speckled Band (at the Drayton Court
Theatre). It gave me a real taste for the part, but it wasn’t until
2008 that I got the chance to play Holmes again, in a production of
Brian Clemens’s Holmes and the Ripper at the Theatre Royal
Nottingham. The production was such a success that I was invited to
return to the role in 2009, and asked to write an adaptation of The
Hound of the Baskervilles." [
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The Last Act
by David Stuart Davies
Based on the internationally acclaimed one-man theatre production.
Holmes is played by Roger Llewellyn and the play starts with the
action set in 1916. Holmes has returned to his rooms in Baker Street
after attending the funeral of his long time associate, Dr John H.
Watson. Holmes reflects on the old days and comes to realise that not
only was there so much that he had shared with Watson in his lifetime
but also there was so much that he had not revealed to him: things he
had kept hidden, including his deep affection for his friend.
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‘Marvellous – wonderfully constructed, full of fun and heart and
revelation, with unexpected depths. Llewellyn’s performance is
extraordinary – bold, brilliant, bedazzling, heartening, exciting…
often very, very funny, but also touching and true.’ Gyles Brandreth.
The Death and Life
by David Stuart Davies
Roger Llewellyn reprises his role as Holmes. This story is a
fascinating drama in which Sherlock Holmes steps off the page to save
his life and in doing so faces a heart-stopping revelation about his
own existence. Described by the Sherlock Holmes Society London "For
the Holmes connossieur, this is a vintage play about the Master."
The story starts with Doyle himself, haunted by the tag of 'the
Sherlock Holmes man' and tired of his catchpenny detective creation,
he employs the services of Professor Moriarty to bring an end to the
career of the Great Detective. Aware that some dark force is bent on
his destruction, Holmes rises to the challenge and not only
encounters his nemesis Moriarty but also learns the terrible truth
about his very being.
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Holmes and the Ripper
By Brian Clemens (adapted for audio by Nicholas Briggs)
Nicholas Briggs stars as Holmes. Internationally acclaimed thriller
writer Brian Clemens has woven a story around the infamous, grisly
serial killings of prostitutes in Victorian Whitechapel. Holmes and
Watson are drawn into one of the darkest plots ever to shake the
foundations of England. There are freemasons, conspiracies and plots
at the highest level of the establishment. [
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This is a full-cast audio drama which is brought to life with eerily
engrossing sound design and a brand new, cinematic music score.
Supporting Briggs in this production is Richard Earl (a regular Big
Finish player) as Watson and India Fisher (best known as Charley
Pollard in the Doctor Who audios) as Katherine Mead. Also featuring
Lex Shrapnel (Minder, The Last Detective, Sharpe, Thunderbirds).
‘Briggs stole the show, with a Holmes portrayal that hovered between
Jeremy Brett and Peter Cushing… the hawkish and slightly arrogant
Brett influence prevailed, but Briggs cleverly injected a little
humour and warmth into the part’ Zena Hawley Derby Evening Telegraph.
‘Briggs is indisputably brilliant’ Fiona Stanley NG Magazine.
‘Briggs gives Holmes real depth’ Alan Geary Nottingham Evening Post.