POTTED SHERLOCK is billed as an “entertainment event” rather than an actual play. This is probably because there is no plot whatsoever. The show, written by Daniel Clarkson and Tom Clarkson, is a farce dealing with the attempt of three actors attempting (key word) to tell all Sherlock Holmes stories in 80 minutes.
I have a few problems with this show. To begin with, the show is extremely erratic. Feeling as if it doesn’t really know wha it is trying to do. There are 60 Sherlock Holmes stories, presumably to be told during the course of the play. Some were told, sort of. And some were merely mentioned, while others were dwelt upon in a painful and grueling manner.
Second, this “event” is billed as “hysterically funny.” I wouldn’t say it was hysterical at all, and funny is a bit of a stretch as well. Maybe it’s just my sense of humor (or lack there of), but I had trouble finding things to laugh about. The material seemed dry, and not in a funny way. It was just flat. The actors were certainly making an attempt; however, it just didn’t happen.
Third, there seems to have been a waste of good talent on this show. The three performers seemed to be competent, even good. I just couldn’t tell. They weren’t really given a chance. They weren’t given material that actually allowed them to perform. Their delivery was fine, but the jokes fell flat.
For these reasons I have trouble recommending this show. If you feel like seeing a show that has relatively dumbed-down, uninteresting content and may possibly provide you with a small chuckle here and there, go ahead. Otherwise, your money would be better spent elsewhere.
POTTED SHERLOCK is currently running thru 11 January at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. For more iniformation and to purchase tickets, visit www.pottedsherlock.com.
