Boston's theatrical scene is offering a curious holiday mashup in "A Sherlock Carol," a play that throws together two of literature's most iconic figures—Sherlock Holmes and Ebenezer Scrooge. According to a review from The Boston Globe, this production at Lyric Stage Boston blends the tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens in an attempt that is as packed with characters as it is with quick-paced action. The crammed script does seem to leave room for improvement in terms of character depth, even though the cast's performance is far from mediocre.
Mark Shanahan's creation, which originated off-Broadway four years ago, introduces audiences to a plot where Sherlock Holmes, played by Paul Melendy, investigates the mysterious death of a post-transformation, generous-to-a-fault Scrooge, and tracks down the missing Blue Carbuncle diamond and Scrooge's last will. A notable, yet hectic atmosphere is created by the play's 20 characters that the actors navigate, sometimes taking on multiple roles. "Especially in a small venue like Lyric Stage, that engenders an atmosphere that goes beyond fast-paced to hectic," reported The Boston Globe.
Despite its frenetic nature, the play does resonate with holiday spirit, painting it with an unexpected detective brush. As per Lyric Stage's synopsis, audiences can expect a "festive literary mash-up with surprises around every corner." And surprises are indeed part of the package, as Sherlock confronts his own set of ghosts while dealing with Scrooge's legacy and the spirits that seem to haunt him post his enemy Moriarty's death.
As for Melendy's performance, his capacity to differentiate his roles is noted. Despite the vast number of lines, he delivers not just as Holmes, but also as distinct characters he portrayed earlier in the year. "Just on the level of sheer line memorization, that’s an impressive run. But what’s even more impressive is that Melendy has made Danny, Featherbaby, and Sherlock Holmes indelibly different creations," praised The Boston Globe.
With its holiday comedy theme, "A Sherlock Carol" is aiming to be an "elementary" choice for a festive outing. Despite some criticism of pacing and a surplus of character juggling, the play's premise appears to ensure a dose of laughter and a fresh take on classic literature. Entertainment seekers and detective story aficionados alike might just find this show to be, in a sense, as "good as gold." The play runs through December 21, with tickets available from $25 to $95 for those interested in solving riddles wrapped in a yuletide bow.
