In Big Finish’s latest Sherlock Holmes audio, old London town is brimming with the spirit of Christmas – but there’s also a different kind of spirit appearing out of thin air and causing mischief. When a blowhard journalist comes to Baker Street complaining about some inexplicable editing to his articles, Holmes and Watson will be led into a Yuletide adventure that will make them question the very laws of physics…
Last time we checked in on Nicholas Brigg’s Sherlock Holmes and Richard Earl as his infallible friend Doctor Watson, we got to see them at the end of their lives (see: The Sacrifice of Sherlock Holmes). Here, however, we jump back to their glory years at the tail end of the 19th century. There’s a slightly cosy air to proceedings, then, and the two leading actors nestle effortlessly back into their well-worn roles.
As the central premise suggests, The Fleet Street Transparency is something of a backdoor sequel to Big Finish’s adaptation of H. G. Wells’ classic The Invisible Man released last year, starring the late, great Sir John Hurt in the title role, as it explores many of the same ideas. This approach is both a neat tying together of two Victorian literary giants and also a canny bit of cross-promotion from writer Jonathan Barnes (who also penned the Wells adaptation). If you missed that release or are unfamiliar with the original novel, however, you’ll be able to listen to this story without any real problems.
As for the Christmassy element, this isn’t a full-on Sherlock Holmes ‘Christmas special’ in the vain of Conan Doyle’s ‘The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle’ (the one with the jewel hidden inside the Christmas goose) as the tale itself would practically work just as well if set at any other time of year. However, it is liberally flecked with festive cheer, including the wonderfully Dickensian opening featuring Holmes hosting a Christmas feast for the Baker Street Irregulars.
Perhaps the most exciting element of this story is how it appears to tease some major things to come for the Great Detective in upcoming audio dramas. Just what is the meaning of those nightmares Holmes is suffering from about a tide crashing against the shore? And will we see more from the Invisible Man again? Who knows, but we look forward to seeing what Big Finish has in store for Baker Street’s finest in future.
SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE ADVENTURE OF THE FLEET STREET TRANSPARENCY / DIRECTOR: KEN BENTLEY / WRITER: JONATHAN BARNES / STARRING: NICHOLAS BRIGGS, RICHARD EARL, BLAKE RITSON, ANJELLA MACKINTOSH / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
