Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Still on the hunt for his infamous nemesis Professor Moriarty, the residents of 21B Baker Street once again find themselves entangled in a particularly knotty murder case.

The year is 1901. The place? London. While the Great British Empire battles on and the dying Queen Victoria keeps the country on edge, strange happenings start to show that things aren’t as solid in the halls of power as they seem. Those cracks run all the way through the monarchy, the government, and the Empire itself. And right in the middle of it all is a mysterious figure quietly pulling the strings — and getting ready to make one final, deadly move.

It’s an enticing premise, and for fans of Sherlock Holmes — myself included — there’s plenty of promise before the curtain even rises. However, despite its ambitious concept, this production doesn’t always fully deliver on its potential. While this may in part stem from high expectations, it seemed I was not alone in feeling that certain elements fell short of what the show set out to achieve.

Typically, I’m reluctant to focus on transitions between scenes, as many factors contribute to how smoothly they unfold. In this case, though, the pacing of transitions plays a particularly crucial role. Because the narrative is dense and the tension frequently runs high, slower or more cumbersome transitions tend to break the momentum, causing the audience to momentarily lose their emotional connection to the story.

It’s also worth acknowledging that any Sherlock Holmes production arrives with its own set of challenges. Many audience members will inevitably arrive with the popular screen portrayals by Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr. in mind. While stage and screen are vastly different mediums — each with their own strengths and limitations — comparisons are, understandably, difficult to avoid. This is not a comment on individual performances; rather, it concerns the staging of moments that are, in other adaptations, known for their dynamism. For example, the climactic confrontation (details withheld to avoid spoilers) felt somewhat underpowered, especially for a story that builds toward such a pivotal moment. Though perhaps not a fair expectation given the medium, audiences coming to a Sherlock Holmes mystery often anticipate a certain level of intensity.

None of this is to say that the production lacks merit. Its ambition is clear, and the creative team has taken on a story with characters beloved by generations. With some tightening of pacing and a few bolder directorial choices in key scenes, this could grow into a truly gripping theatrical experience. As it stands, the foundations are promising — they simply need a bit more refinement to match the intrigue of the story they aim to tell.

Production Value: 40%

Value For Money: 60%

Personal Enjoyment: 40%

Overall Score: 47% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Playing until: 22nd November 2025

Run Time: Approximately 2h30 - including a 20-minute interval

Tickets for this venue can be found at this link.