30 Days of NYMF: Sherlock Holmes (The Early Years)

SHERLOCK HOLMES (THE EARLY YEARS)
by Kate Ferguson (bookwriter)

When you hear the name "Sherlock Holmes", what do you think? For me, it always used to be simple: deerstalker hat; pipe; classic British television programs; and "Elementary, my dear Watson!" Two years into the process of developing this show however, and I now think: this song about the foggy streets of London is great, but can we get another policemen kick-line into the dance routine?

Sherlock Holmes (The Early Years) originated back in 2005, with a London-based theatre company and writers, and consequently a very British sensibility. Our lyricist, however, had been at NYU, and made the inspired suggestion of bringing on board a composer she met there. Suddenly a British-American collaboration was born (ah, the Special Relationship) which we're delighted to be continuing by bringing the show to NYMF.

I am about to throw a stack of compliments in the direction of both cast and crew, but I promise you, I am very trustworthy (come and say hello to me at the show, and you will see that this is true – I positively ooze respectability) and this is all completely objective. The entire team is bringing a quite dazzling level of commitment and enthusiasm to the show, throwing themselves into the songs, the script and the British accent without fear or reserve. In addition to the wonderful singing voices and acting skills, this cast has as fine a sense of comedy as I have ever seen – they laugh at literally all my jokes. The director assures me this is because they actually find them funny, and is not just out of a sense of duty. 

Meanwhile, all I have seen of New York is my sublet and the rehearsal studio. I hear you have some excellent other places to visit (museums, big tall buildings, a nice park, that sort of thing). Maybe one day I shall have the chance to see some of these. In the meantime, while I look out of the window at the streets of New York, I continue to rehearse a musical based on the foggy, foggy streets of London. It's almost as though I never left home…