The Rose Theater to Present SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE FIRST BAKER STREET IRREGULAR

It's no mystery that Sherlock Holmes is the world's greatest detective. The Rose Theater will put a new spin on the sleuth's stories with Sherlock Holmes & The First Baker Street Irregular, a new adaptation for young audiences written by Brian Guehring making its debut on The Rose stage, Nov. 6-22. The show delves into the back story of some of Holmes' key assistants: a group of street urchins who serve as a network of spy kids, known as the Baker Street Irregulars.

Sherlock Holmes & The First Baker Street Irregular is based on the classic characters and mysteries of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle including The Red Headed League and The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, but with a twist.

"Being a huge mystery fan and a person who loves origin stories, I decided I wanted to write an original Sherlock Holmes story," says Rose playwright-in-residence Brian Guehring. "I was intrigued by the homeless children that Sherlock Holmes used as a spy network to help with some of his cases. I felt that if one of those orphans told the story of Sherlock Holmes, it would engage young audiences into their classic stories and give them a great introduction to classic literature."

Sherlock Holmes & The First Baker Street Irregular builds on two pieces of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing: The Red Headed League and The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. Throughout the production. It also includes moments and details from A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four.

The play opens on a busy London street where a group of young street urchins has gathered. On a dare from the other children, fourteen year-old Wiggins tries to pickpocket a strange old man. Not only is Wiggins unsuccessful, but the old man manages to take the gold ring that was in Wiggins' pocket. When Wiggins goes to 221B Baker Street to retrieve the ring, she is shocked to find out how much Sherlock Holmes knows about her based on a quick observation. After Wiggins sees Sherlock use the gold ring to solve a case, Wiggins proposes to work as Sherlock's assistant. Intrigued by her potential, Sherlock agrees to begin training Wiggins on a trial basis. Wiggins and Sherlock must learn to trust each other as Wiggins and the group of street youth help Sherlock Holmes solve two dangerous mysteries.

Sherlock Holmes & The First Baker Street Irregular is recommended for families with children ages 8 and up, and is 75 minutes long without an intermission.

Tickets are $18 per person. Discount ticket vouchers are available at all area Hy-Vee stores for $14 each. Members of The Rose receive four free tickets to the production.

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