Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure Reviews

Chicago Tribune- Somewhat Recommended

"...The script and the production by Idle Muse Theatre Company are pleasantly engaging, but one wishes that director Evan Jackson's staging spent a little more time fleshing out the relationships, particularly between Nathan Pease's newlywed homebody Watson and Luke Hamilton's peremptory and solitary Holmes. Turning Elizabeth Macdougald's spirited diva into a damsel in distress who is fully capable of taking care of herself when the chips are down is an interesting twist, but the romantic passion between Adler and Holmes doesn't convince."

Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended

"... Luke Hamilton creates a witty, energetic, Byronic Holmes by drawing on Doyle's writing rather than the deerstalkered grandee of later stage and film portrayals. Even if the various storylines don't mesh perfectly, the individual scenes work, and Hamilton's perfect timing and luminous stage presence allow him to command the audience like a logician toying with a child's puzzle."

Windy City Times- Recommended

"...Evan Jackson and the Idle Muse Theatre Company have, from their very inception, essayed only the most challenging of projects. Their realization of this vintage action-adventure tale overcomes its limitations with an alacrity as seemingly effortless as that with which their genius detective uncovers clues, outwits adversaries and resolves disorder presenting a threat to his society. Credit Jackson for directing his cast to play their roles seriously, with no winks or asides—even when encumbered by a running gag involving Holmes' exhaustive reference library. Conviction like this, conveyed with understatement proportionate to its intimate quarters, renders plausible the most artificial of occurrences."

Centerstage- Recommended

"..While Deitz's adaptation, watchable and clever, begins to lag towards the end of the first act, overall it's nicely paced. Fluid scene changes and smart use of space contribute to Adventure's tightness. Overall, the cast is more than competent, maintaining their accents and demonstrating apt comedic timing as well as an understanding of the genre. Thompson's Moriarty is the quintessential villain, complete with menacingly deliberate speech and a walking stick, and Pease and Hamilton have good chemistry and unleash fast-paced dialogue with ease."

ChicagoCritic- Highly Recommended

"...All the elements are present and this show delivers a playful romp that marks Sherlock Holmes mysteries as world class entertainment.  Dietz and Doyle would enjoy this smart, intelligent and fast-paced mystery. Doing a mystery on stage is a daunting task yet the cast of Idle Muse Theatre Company delivers a polished production.  This theatre troupe is a promising one. Who doesn’t love a fine mystery? This one is terrific."

Chicago Stage and Screen- Highly Recommended

"...Whether or not you know the answer to that literary dilemma should have little influence on your enjoyment of the sparkling Idle Muse effort.  The nine member ensemble has captured the essence of Doyle's prized novels without being a mere copy.  Luke Hamilton's dashingly aristocratic and nicely underplayed Holmes honors such famous predecessors as Basil Rathbone without resorting to parody or imitation.  His character is at once a self-satisfied genius and a little boy at play in matters of life and death. "

Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended

"...The beauty of our storefront theaters is that we get to see some great theater at very low cost. Idle Muse Theatre Company, a relative newcomer to the Chicago theater scene is presenting a wonderful little story, “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” in a marvelous little spot in Rogers Park ( and area just bustling with theater activity) at the Side Project Theatre located at 1439 West Jarvis. This adaptation by Steven Dietz of the work by William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle, is a marvelous look at the last case handled by the great Sherlock Holmes ( or is it?). Director Evan Jackson utilizes the very small stage area of this “black box” theare very well on an unusual set by Dennis Mae. Try to visulize an are that is probably 18′ wide by about 19′ deep and that is the area we are talking about. In this space we have a London Street, Holme’s house, a church, A factory, a train and even Reichanbach Falls in Switzerland. All of this is accomplished by using glass on hangers ( almost like shower doors) that hang from pipes. This allows for quick scene changes and despite its being  plain and simple, it works!"

Chicago Theater Beat- Somewhat Recommended

"...Dennis Mae’s set, which includes a maze of copper piping, is wonderful and flexible to all sorts of environments. Place is noted by beautiful etchings hung from the grid. And the production sits firmly with Idle Muse’s ‘poor theatre’ mission statement. The industrial world presented here feels both modern and old, a statement that could describe most of the production. However, it’s the commitment to honesty that really drives this show forward. While the mystery is kind of easy, we still want to follow Holmes along. Like Doyle’s books, it’s not really about the case, but the detective."