Villains Beware—She’s Back!

Miss Holmes Returns – Lifeline Theatre

Amidst the swirling fog and dark shadows of Victorian London, the game is afoot and crimes are being committed once more. And who better to root out the villains, particularly when Scotland Yard’s Inspector Lestrade and the police are all baffled, but none other than Sherlock Holmes. Following the success six years ago of his wonderful, pre-pandemic production of “Miss Holmes,” Christopher M. Walsh has written a brilliant sequel to his first dramatic foray into the Holmes canon. 

As in the initial installment, Sherlock Holmes (christened Wilhelmina) is a brilliantly intelligent feminist female, whose observational and deductive powers surpass all her peers. In Walsh’s script, Sherlock is accompanied by her sidekick, best friend and astute accomplice-in-sleuthing, Dr. Dorothy Watson. Together they work with others out of their 221B Baker Street abode to solve a series of heinous crimes that smack of issues, still rampant in 2022.

The plot is a delicious series of diabolical deeds and evil episodes, opening with Holmes, Watson and Lestrade standing over a dead body. But the plot continues to unfold, exposing even more nefarious incidents. The suspect in no less than two murders is a nurse named Priya Singh, gracefully played with just right amount of anxiety and apprehension by Vinithra Raj. But there seems to be a larger conspiracy responsible for these crimes, led by a mysterious kingpin, known only as The Professor. 

Meanwhile, in a subplot that seems sparked by the recent overturn of Roe v.s. Wade, Miss Singh is part of a group advocating giving women more decisions about their own bodies. They are urging for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act. This was a law whereby Victorian women, already collectively looked upon as the lowest members of society, could be arrested if they were even suspected of carrying a sexually transmitted disease. All men, however, were considered innocent victims and allowed their freedom. Olive McGann, a former barmaid, and Josephine Butler, a respected member of society, both group members, enlist Holmes and Watson to help clear Miss Singh’s name. 

While the shrewd detective is diligently working to discover the identity of the murderer, her women’s “Knitting Society,” including the vigilant and maternal Mrs. Wiggins, are keeping a watchful eye over Priya Singh, secretly making certain she’s safe and has food and shelter. In the meantime, Sherlock has suddenly found herself the object of a possible suitor. Adam Worthington is a nerdy, socially awkward teacher/tutor, who’s taken an interest in Miss Holmes and shares her passion for botany. She doesn’t quite know how to respond to this attention and their scenes together provide the play’s unexpected humor.

Lifeline ensemble member, director and dialect coach Elise Kauzlaric has guided her talented cast with their fully-realized characterizations, skilled timing and perfect British accents. This production never flags in its energy and always keeps the audience on its toes. As the bodies pile up, and Holmes and Watson race against time, Walsh’s clever script continually surprises, revealing additional information, since everyone in this play is hiding something. Alan Donahue’s gorgeous scenic design is sparse, uncluttered, but intricately detailed. His set is dominated by a set of black, industrial-looking pillars and an elegantly executed wooden bridge that floats high over the stage. There are hidden escapes and stairways that keep the action moving. Diane D. Fairchild’s lighting does exactly what it needs to do. It achieves a mysterious mood, while appropriately focusing the audience’s attention away from certain locales and onto others. And Emily McConnell’s stylish and well-tailored costumes elegantly bespeak each Victorian class of personage. Her palette of deep blacks and browns, along with blood reds and rich maroons, exemplify the feel of a who-done-it.  

The entire cast is stunning. Katie McLean Hainsworth is absolute perfection as Miss Sherlock Holmes. Her every move and gesture, as well as her sharp diction and dialect, is precise and faithful to the character. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be proud of Ms Hainsworth’s impeccable performance of his creation. Mandy Walsh is brilliant and adds a certain jovial quality and honest empathy to her portrayal of Dr. Dorothy Watson. They team up to make the perfect force for fighting crime and righting wrongs.

Julie Partyka, playing Josephine Butler, is Chicago’s answer to the late English actress, Cathleen Nesbitt. In other words, she’s beautiful and brilliant and, in my opinion, should be cast in every British play in Chicago. Hilary Williams is earnest and heartbreaking as Olive McGann. Annie Slivinski makes her debut at Lifeline in two very different roles. She’s excellent, both as Mrs. Hudson, the demanding and discriminating boarding house matron, at 221 Baker Street, and as the subtle, but ever-protective Mrs. Wiggins. Tommy Malouf also returns to the Miss Holmes series, this time playing three roles and all expertly. His Adam Worthington, however, is the play’s biggest surprise and pleasure. Linsey Falls, last seen in Lifeline’s “Middle Passage,” makes for a humorous, but honestly-portrayed Inspector Geoffrey Lestrade. And Christopher Hainsworth makes Mycroft Holmes as disagreeable and unpleasant as he is strong and conniving. He also plays a seedy Dock Worker whose questionable character adds to the darkness of London’s waterfront.

Lifeline Theatre returns for their 40th season of extraordinary productions, suitable for audiences of all ages.This is a clever mystery story that features a twist on the popular Sherlock Holmes trope. One needn’t have seen Christopher M. Walsh’s prior production to appreciate this sequel, but audiences will leave the theatre hoping that he’s writing yet another installment. The play is sharp, fast-paced, filled with exciting characters, stimulating dialogue and enough puzzling logic to challenge every audience member to think. In addition to a superb script, all the credit for this captivating production must go to Director Elise Kauzlaric and her talented cast and crew. Do not miss this delightful, stimulating play. And villains beware because Miss Holmes is back again!

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 26-October 16 by Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the Lifeline Theatre box office, by calling 773-761-4477 or by going to www.lifelinetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.