The case of the perfect cast
After five years of waiting Silent Hands Productions has assembled ‘the right group of people’ to stage Sherlock Holmes’ Secret Life’, the first in a series of darker and edgier plays
Perhaps it’s apt that ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Secret Life’ is being presented by Silent Hands Productions. Although, as appropriately named for the job as they may be, the Silent Hands Productions theatre circle have been anything but silent in local theatre.
The newest in a long and well received repertoire of stage productions, this comedy thriller by Ed Lange is a production by the newly set up Silent Hands Creative Circle. A spin off of sorts from the original group, the Creative Circle aims to stage edgier works and move away from the more traditional Silent Hands productions and take on out-of-the-box, darker and more intimate plays.
The script for Sherlock Holmes is something they’ve been holding onto for almost five years. “Every year we order a selection of plays,” says Jehan. “Most of them are never used, because what looks good as a preview can become highly impractical for local theatre once you’ve read the full play!” But the script for Sherlock Holmes’ Secret Life was something that struck a chord with both Neidra Williams and Jehan Bastians. “Unfortunately we felt like we didn’t have the right cast at that time. It seemed a smart idea to hold on to it, till the right group of people came along.”
This took longer than expected, but half a decade later that time has come. Armed with the script, ‘the perfect cast’ and the unbeatable enthusiasm that defines a Silent Hands production, Jehan and Neidra together with producer Javin Thomas set out to work.
Neidra Williams
The Ed Lange play is set back in time and is often said to be an unofficial story about Holmes and Dr. Watson’s first ever case. The narrator, an aged Dr. Watson, will take the audience back to London of 1865 and the intriguing residence at Baker Street where a young Sherlock Holmes takes the first steps in becoming a crime solving sleuth.
A young Professor James Moriarty, Lestrade and housekeeper Mrs. Hudson are also introduced to the audience, along with the rather mysterious and beautiful ‘Miss Smith’.
It’s a beautifully written play, says Jehan. “Not just the characters, but the storyline itself and the dialogue is excellent. Though it’s a Sherlock Holmes mystery all the characters are given equal play.” Neidra is just pleased with the strength of the female characters in the story. “Stories set in this period are very predictable when it comes to their female characters.
You’ll have the matronly character or the eye-candy woman, and sometimes both. The fact that both female characters in this play are essentially strong, intelligent women was very appealing to me.”
Jehan Bastians
Unlike in former Silent Hands Productions this play will have no amateurs taking to the stage amongst old hands. Well known theatre personalities including Shanaka Amarasinghe, Anurudha Fernando, Viran Corea, Andre Perera, Kanishka Herat, Roshni Gunaratne, Avishka De Alwis and Neidra herself are to take on the main roles. For Jehan, having professionals on stage works well for this particular play.
“It makes our job so much easier. When we sit down to discuss the play they all have their input and a clear idea of what needs to be done,” he says. The main reason for casting old hands was because they could relate to their characters so much easier, he adds. “Maybe it’s the age. I don’t think a 20 year old would have related as well to Sherlock as Shanaka (Amarasinghe) does.”
And of course, there is something of the character in each person playing it, they say. “Many will say that Shanaka is not your typical slim-built Sherlock, or that Neidra is not the perfect mould for Mrs. Hudson. But to be honest, if we get the character right-that’s what matters. Personality…that’s what a stage production must have.”
Ed Lang’s Sherlock Holmes’ Secret Life will be staged on June 14, 15 and 16 from 7.30 p.m. onwards at the Lionel Wendt. Tickets priced at Rs. 1,500, 1,000, 750 and 500 and the box plan is now available at the Wendt.
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