Sherlock Holmes
Warnings: Not suitable for those aged under 12. Contains some very strong language, violence.
Signed performance: 4th June 2026 at 7.45pm
Captioned performance: 5th June 2026 at 7.45pm
Audio Described performance: 6th June 2026 at 2pm
1890, a stone’s throw from this very theatre. As a famous detective relaxes at home, a lady arrives bearing a jewel.
For Holmes and Watson, a life-saving chase begins.
Joel Horwood concocts a new adventure for Sean Holmes to direct.
(seen at the preview performance on 11th May 2026)
Not a fan of detective novels, the monkey only reads Strike for the will they / won’t they, Parlabane for the Glaswegian atmosphere and McBain for New York nostalgia. Just like “The Da Vinci Code,” it figured out the plot twist here within minutes... but for a change, this is a heck of a lot of fun getting there.
Once again, Joshua James is a dead-ringer for the late Rik Mayall (if they shoot a biopic, this is their man), giving Sherlock Holmes the same deceptive air of explosive insouciance. Drug-addled and frenetic, a mass of contradictions.
James is so charismatic that he carries Joel Horwood’s goofy roller-coaster story, through all its jump-cuts and incongruities, to a quite dramatically staged finish only Regent’s Park has the architecture to pull off.
Jyuddah Jaymes’s Dr Watson is the pillar holding his flatmate up. A surprisingly complicated character, part therapist, part life-coach and guru, with a strong sense of self and played with heart (broken, sadly).
Horwood’s writing is a novel unfolding on a stage. There is a lot of declamation and explanation, a little too much wokery and swearing, but somehow it works.
Grace Smart’s battered proscenium bridge set is used to the full, above and below. A river race, underground train and even a couple of theatre stages are depicted with ease – and there’s a proper “Park moment” with a balloon too.
Back to the plot, Nadi Kemp-Sayfi makes the most of Mary, wronged orphan. Mervin Horonha is equally wronged as Tonga, his quiet acceptance a strong image.
Notes too for Patrick Warner as Mycroft and Christopher Akrill as Sholto. Minor characters but key, both with an arrogance that comes from their community status.
Director Sean Holmes does rather overdo the communal dance moves, Charlotte Broom’s movement direction attempting to evoke a busy London that does not really require the extended choreographed sequences that open and close the work.
Still, as the peasouper closes in and nightfall makes Ryan Day’s lighting crucial to enhancing key moments, we are in 1890s Regent’s Park for a little while.
The zoo animals are not what they seem, but might be. Nor are those who move among them. The famous detective has come home to his local theatre, and it rather suits him.
On this basis there is no reason why the Park shouldn’t commission another tale some time. Meanwhile, this is a bit of neatly presented light fun to get the summer season off to a (literally) flying start.
Alison Smith:
Sat, 9th May 2026Brilliantly staged and atmospheric. Great to set some of the action in Regents Park itself, though I wasn't sure what to make of the animal heads worn by the cast. Probably amusing. It's a fast paced, complicated plot which I recommend you let wash over you, as the overall experience in this beautiful setting is the best part. Watson is the star; Holmes had something of the Rik Mayall about him which was odd. Much more Victoriana kitsch than the marketing suggests. Just enjoy the madness if it all!
Seats (C1):Essentially front row as the two rows in front were below the stage and empty at this performance. Side on view, but everything revolves anyway.
Venue:
Beautiful setting with amazing lighting as the sun goes down. Take some extra layers for after dark.
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.
| Run Time: | 2 hours 30 minutes, including 1 interval |
| Monday: | 7.45pm |
| Tuesday: | 7.45pm |
| Wednesday: | 7.45pm |
| Thursday: | 2pm, 7.45pm |
| Friday: | 7.45pm |
| Saturday: | 2pm, 7.45pm |
| Sunday: | X |
Venue Box Office & Current Prices
0333 400 3562Venue box office details and show price charts are available on the Open Air Theatre – Regent’s Park page.
LoveTheatre.com
Lovetheatre.com. Charge around 10% booking fee per ticket. They are owned by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and often have good deals on shows at ATG venues.
See Tickets
See Tickets. Charge around 10% booking fee per ticket, plus £2.75 per booking (not per ticket) postal charge. They are owned by ticketing group Eventim.
TodayTix
TodayTix. Charge between 10% and 20% booking fee per ticket. Discounts are often available as this is a large global ticketing company with this specific aim.
London Theatre Direct
Londontheatredirect.com. Charge between 10% and 25% booking fee per ticket. Discounts are frequently available. Part of Trafalgar Theatre Group, known for customer service and unique offers.
Availability: Box office discretion
Price: £30
Notes: Notes: Enter online App TodayTix offer £25 “Rush tickets” for all performances. Released for the performance on that day, first-come, first-served at 10am. Download the App from Todaytix, unlock the “Rush Ticketing” feature by sharing on Facebook or Twitter, and that will allow you to buy tickets.
Address: Inner Circle, Regent's Park, NW1 4NU
Box Office: 0333 400 3562
More details: Seats to buy or avoid at this venue plus travel information and other details can be found on the Open Air Theatre – Regent’s Park page
