Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is a real Christmas Cracker!
- ann-evans
- 16 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas written by and starring Humphrey Ker and David Reed. Directed by Phillip Breen with Becky Hope-Palmer. With original songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. At The Birmingham Rep from 14 November to 18 January 2026.
Review by Ann Evans
Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is a show that has all the ingredients to entertain audiences for many Christmases to come. It’s fast, it’s funny and it’s very, very silly – and I mean that in the nicest possible way. In fact it’s how the writers themselves describe the theme of their play - very silly Gothic Victoriana.
It's also very clever with a plot that’s packed full of twists and turns, thrills and surprises. The story goes that Sherlock Holmes is called upon to solve the sudden spate of dastardly murders amongst the cast of London theatres. It seems that a serial killer is on the loose, and all the clues are pointing to the murders being linked with the song – The 12 Days of Christmas - if only somebody could remember the words.
The sets have that wonderful Dickensian atmosphere of old London Town at Christmas. Then clever scene changes take us into Sherlock Holmes’ house at 221B Baker Street where we meet the housekeeper, Mrs Hudson, fabulously played by Margaret Cabourn-Smith. Like most of the cast, she also plays a number of other parts brilliantly.
We also meet Dr John Watson played magnificently by co-writer David Reed, and of course Sherlock Holmes exquisitely portrayed by co-writer Humphrey Ker, looking very much the part of the famous detective as he reels off his crime solving successes to his admirers. Loved how these two writers have created the 'spoof' versions of the iconic characters of Holmes and Watson, not playing for laughs, but taking their roles very seriously indeed - and that's what make this play so funny. I really liked the various aspects of Holmes and Watson’s relationship as it becomes clear that they care for each other a lot more than either of them have ever realised. I can only imagine the fun these writers and directors have had in bringing this story to life.
The plot sees our two heroes assisted (sort of) by Inspector Lestrade (John Kearns) and by the ambitious female detective Athena Faversham (Helena Wilson) who fully intends knocking Sherlock off his top spot to become London’s most famous and successful detective herself.
There are laugh out loud moments from start to finish, a witty script, delightful acting, great characterisation, and brilliant directing with no opportunity missed in taking a scene one step further, to make it more funny or more emotional or more thrilling.
Excellent singing, harmonies and music from the live orchestra; and with the original songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webbed that in itself is a recipe for success. The costumes, scenery and backdrops are outstanding and so atmospheric, with a number of spooky and darkly moody scenes, not least the morgue and the rooftop scenes. All that with a host of unique and engaging characters that you can't help but love.
You get the feeling that the play has a huge cast, as a fabulous range of crazy characters bring you one hilarious scene after another. Yet there are only 13 people acting on stage, and the majority of the cast have up to six costume changes each.
Amongst them, very importantly we meet the cute little newspaper boy, Ernie, played by Susan Harrison; Panto Dame, the outrageous Arthur Stone, flamboyantly played by Cameron Johnson. Amanda Lindgren and Mia Overfield play a range of characters including two giggling moustached policemen; Andrew Pugsley, Chomba S. Taulo, Christian Andrews and Deborah Tracey take on roles as varied as a horse-driven cab driver, Queen Victoria, a pantomime horse, very loud opera singers and many more brilliantly funny characters created by the talented team of Humphrey Ker and David Reed.
If you get a chance to see this comedy musical I suggest you jump at it and enjoy the world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas, although I get the feeling that this play will be being performed in other theatres around the country for a long time to come.
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