Yes – we’re doing it again! After February’s sellout show, people begged me to reprise Holmes Fest 2024.
I’m delighted to say that’s exactly what we’re doing this November 20th and 21st at a new venue – The Groundlings Theatre, Portsea!
Holmes Fest 2024 is 2 hours of laughter and silliness that celebrates the wide range of Conan Doyle’s writing, with the audience joining in the fun, too.
Local Acts
From local author Christine Lawrence’s Mrs Hudson revealing the “truth” about Sherlock, through poet Jackson Davies celebrating Arthur Conan Doyle as a gentleman rapper to hilarious songs and comedy sketches, the show is a fond homage to the writer in the city where Sherlock Holmes first saw light of day.
TV and Film Star Mark Wingett
And that’s not all. Film and TV star Mark Wingett – who is my brother – will also appear as Sir Algernon Blenkinsop-Carver – and things don’t all go to plan for him, that’s for sure!
Mark thinks the city’s Doyle connection is cool, saying: “The show has been great fun and I had no idea Conan Doyle’s work was so varied – from mummy stories to dinosaur-tales and much more besides, his fingerprints are on so much of popular culture – including the detective story, of course!”
Celebrating Pompey’s Heroes
To be honest, I’m really excited about it. I created the show because I think we should celebrate Pompey’s links with Conan Doyle. The city offered great opportunies for Conan Doyle and this is our chance to inspire new writers and artists, through his example!
Holmes Fest 2024 features original creations by Portsmouth creatives – and even includes The Holmes Fest Anthem – written by comedy music hall duo Hudson and Lestrade (actually Matt Parsons and Janet Ayers).
But I won’t give the show away except to say it is going to be great fun. And if you decide to enter more fully into the spirit of the show – remember: there’s even a prize for the best-dressed Victorian.
Tickets
Tickets are £15 from The Groundlings Theatre, 42 Kent Street, Portsmouth, PO1, 3BS here https://bit.ly/HolmesFest24