Interview: 'I'm Intrigued By John Watson': Actor Jyuddah Jaymes on Curiosity and Suspense in SHERLOCK HOLMES
'It's a really interesting challenge. I'm glad I've accepted!'
The game is afoot at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre! Sherlock Holmes, written by Joel Horwood and directed by Sean Holmes, opened earlier this month, bringing with it a new interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic characters of Sherlock [Joshua James] and his companion, Dr John Watson [Jyuddah Jaymes]. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Jaymes about taking on the role of Watson. We discussed how he first got started in the world of theatre, what it is like to be putting his own spin on such an iconic character and what it’s like to perform in an outdoor theatre.
How did you first get started in the world of theatre?
I was a part of a group called the Television Workshop in Nottingham - I joined when I was seventeen. Prior to that, I'd done a couple of school plays at my school, but I joined that group because a friend of mine was like, “Oh, you really like acting, you should do this!” And I was like, “Yeah, I like it, but I'm not an actor.” And then I auditioned, and I got it. So that was my first route into the world of theatre.
Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
And what made you want to be a part of this production of Sherlock Holmes? Were you a fan of Sherlock and the different variations?
I had seen the series and the films! A lot of people don't know this, but The Great Mouse Detective is based on Sherlock Holmes, and I watched it at a very pedestrian level. And then I watched the series with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I was fascinated by the character of Sherlock - how he navigates the world, how he's so intelligent[...] The thing that intrigued me the most was the potential of playing Dr John Watson.
And then I read the play, and it was very gripping. The way in which Joel Hallward, our writer, has told the story, not just of Sherlock, but of John, and this world they're trying to navigate, where I was like, “Oh yeah, I want to be a part of this!” So that's how I fell into the project. I met with Sean and with Josh, who plays Sherlock, and it felt like a really easy collaboration - I was really curious by that! I mean, it's not an easy show - it definitely takes its toll. But it's a really nice exhaustion, because you've left it all on the floor. And the audience reception to this has been amazing.
What was the process like for you to become this character of Dr John Watson?
I came in quite late into the process, so I didn't have very long. My usual thing is to be off-book and to have this degree of research. I knew that I was not going to have the time to research, so a lot of it was left into the beats of the play - the dynamic with Sherlock, working with Sean, working with Joel, working with Josh to try and understand. First of all, in this depiction, John Watson is Black British, so there were a lot of questions around why and what that means, especially in the 19th-century, for a black man to be an ex-soldier, a doctor and a writer walking through the world. So I had to ask myself, “What could I give to Watson?” Ultimately, I would say a sense of curiosity as a young man who's devoted so much to a country that he believes in, despite the political dynamics that exist - that still exist, but in a very different way.
In our depiction, he's a soldier who's gone through war, most likely with PTSD. From my understanding of my own life and from people I've met, you have to navigate a lot of things. It's a real gift in terms of understanding situations a lot differently. So I wanted Watson to be intelligent. All my characters, I want to give them intelligence, because growing up, I was always taught that, despite whatever racial dynamics people can put on you, that is always what you walk with. That's always who you are. I'm intrigued by John Watson, because of his intelligence - not just as a man, a doctor, a soldier, but also as a Black British individual, a history that hasn't necessarily been given its due. As I bring this body, my likeness as this character, that's something that I was curious about and wanted to draw from, in terms of how I deliver lines, in terms of what scenes are like.
Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
It's interesting how you were saying it's a conscious choice, looking at the time period of Sherlock versus now, and how people can still see that reflected in society today.
Yeah, definitely! Joel's done a wonderful job of bringing it back to now in a very subtle way. But even still, the moments when it's even more dynamic, it still feels like he's saying something. And so, for me, from the beginning, I'd said to them, “This is a story that honours both these men. It is Sherlock Holmes, but it's John Watson as well.” And these two men, these two mavericks, they really drive this story. It's really nice to see that, because it's not just a Black person, or someone who has got whatever it may be that society can use against you or disadvantage you. We are standing side to side with allies and with people who want to work with us, who are interested in seeing the broadness of society, diversity and human rights.
And what has it been like performing the show outdoors at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with the revolving stage - that's quite the combo!
It is! It really depends. Weather permitting, it is such a joy, because you have so much space, you feel so free - there are endless possibilities that we try to make use of. Grace Smart, our designer, has used every inch of the stage - it's incredible! I've worked with a revolving stage before - it feels really epic to just be spinning around. And, obviously, we're outdoors, so sometimes it rains, but even then, in those moments when it's raining, and it's nighttime and we’re lit, it’s epic! It's been a very long time since I've worked outdoors.
There are moments where it starts to rain, and you can literally hear audiences putting their coats on - even louder than your lines! It's a really interesting challenge. I'm glad I've accepted!
Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton
What has it been like to get into performances after the rehearsal process?
We were all itching to do it! We did rehearsals through to the day of press night - we were not resting at all. We were all exhausted, and Josh and I have, out of everybody, done the most hours of rehearsal. But now we're in this flow where we have days off, and we're just doing the thing, and that's the most enjoyable part. When we had great discoveries in the room, it was great, but the way in which Sean works is that we have so many different versions of the scene. It's wonderful, and it really applies this limitless potential to the project.
What do you hope audiences take away from this production of Sherlock Holmes?
I want them to enjoy the thrill of the show, the suspense and the cleverness that is Sherlock Holmes and these adventures that he goes on. I want them to have a really good theatre night as well. I know that sounds very basic, but in the theatre world, there are so many people wanting to sell these shows and grip your attention, and this one does it effortlessly - we just blinked, and we suddenly had this really epic show that had all sorts of really intelligent, sophisticated choices, and really great acting, character use and plot lines. So I just want people to come and enjoy the ambiance, sit back and enjoy the story, try and keep up as we go! Sherlock Holmes, you've got to stay with him - it's not always easy, but I want them to be immersed in this world that we've created, and hopefully to enjoy it.
And finally, how would you describe Sherlock Holmes in one word?
I've used the word epic quite a lot, so I'm going to say epic! We've got plenty of epicness.
Read our 4 star-review of Sherlock Holmes here.
Sherlock Holmes runs until 6 June at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
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