by Ed Fortune
One of the cornerstones of the Sherlock Holmes canon is The Final Problem, the story in which Sherlock faces his arch-nemesis Moriarty and, after an encounter at the Reichenbach Falls, is presumed dead. The original story was an attempt for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to stop writing Holmes stories, but this didn’t last long, thanks to an early example of fan pressure getting a popular fictional character returned to the media.
Watson: The Final Problem is a one-man show starring Tim Marriott as Doctor Watson. It has been a number of years since Sherlock went missing, and the good doctor seeks to set the record straight as to the events of that faithful day, but not before giving us a detailed account of his adventures with the world’s greatest detective. The narrative brushes across other notable Holmes stories in a way that feels natural and sort of charming.
Marriot’s Watson is the competent, intelligent companion and friend to Sherlock. You can tell that this show has been co-written and co-created with Bert Coules, who wrote The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes for the BBC, as it has a strong radio-drama/BBC vibe to it. The sound design is spot on – this is a very well-produced show.
Marriot’s performance is mesmerising and deep. If you’re a fan of detective fiction, you probably know the story already, but this adaptation breathes fresh life into a beloved tale. Marriot’s is Doctor Watson.
This is a fun and entertaining take on a famous story. Seek it out if you can.
Watson: The Final Problem is part of the Edinburgh Fringe until August 28th. You can book tickets here and find out more about the show (including tour information) here.
