CEPA performed “Sherlock Homes and the Baker Street Irregulars” with two different casts of 30 actors. 

The play by Brian Guehring, is based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The show followed the lives of young Londoners as they work to solve Christmas mysteries. The story began when, on a dare from her fellow street urchins, 14-year-old Wiggins tried to pickpocket a strange old man who is actually Sherlock Holmes in disguise. Wiggins and Holmes learned to trust each other as Wiggins and her group of street urchins helped him solve two dangerous holiday mysteries: The Red Headed League and The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle.

Shelby Duke, CEPA assistant director, was the director of the show. She said each showing had a fantastic turn out. She and her assistant directors elected to run the program with two full different casts, giving more performers a chance to participate in the show.

“I’m really proud of the actors and my tech and crew were amazing,” Duke said. 

The crew was able to create a trap door coming up out of the left side of the stage, which allowed characters to appear out of a hole in a scene that took place in a bank vault. This and a fight scene following gave Duke a chance to practice theatrical combat.

“My favorite part of the show had to be the trap door and the whole end of act 1. I got to do and teach some combat lessons, which was awesome,” said Duke. 

Duke said have a cast A and B was challenging, but ended up being incredibly rewarding. 

“Scheduling, making sure everyone got equal amounts of time to rehearse, which became a problem during tech week with keeping people too long,” said Duke. 

The show was chosen because of Duke’s love of Sherlock. 

“I just love Sherlock, so once I found they had a Christmas and holiday friendly version, where we could have the kids and it be a decent cast, it was like love at first sight. We had to do Sherlock,” said Duke.

“I could not do this show without my assistant directors.”

She said the show could not have been completed without her assistant directors, Elizabeth Rae and Sara Jo Gilmore.

“It’s a lot harder to deal with a cast over 30 than one would realize, and they are absolutely amazing. I hope they dabble in directing in the future,” said Duke.