Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Portage Park
A visiting detective
A scandalous scheme
A race to save the city!
When a nefarious plot threatens the entire Northwest side, it’s up to Sherlock Holmes, Watson, and YOU to solve the mystery! With the help of a handy duplication machine, four different groups of audience members (two walking groups, and two bicycling groups!) join four different Holmes and Watsons pairs to find unique clues and interview different witnesses. It’s only when the groups reassemble and share their findings that the mystery has a hope of being solved!
Written by Jess Wright Buha
Inspired by the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: adventure/mystery/comedy
Length: two acts, 120 minutes
Cast: 18 actors
Set: Flexible
To read a perusal script, contact Jess here.
Holmes: (to WATSON) If I may be blunt, these duplicates do seem rather silly.
Watson: A little whimsy never hurt anyone.
Holmes: But we are to embark on a serious investigation.
Well, it cannot be helped. Let us examine the space. My dear Irregulars, see what you can ascertain from your unique vantage point in the audience.
(The DUPLICATES and the AUDIENCE search the theatre. BLUE HOLMES picks up a piece of paper.)
Blue Holmes: I think I've found a clue! Or is it a DISGUISE. (BLUE HOLMES puts the paper over his face.) We must all put on disguises!
Holmes: IS it a clue?
Blue Holmes: No.
Holmes: Kindly only give a shout if you've found a clue.
Green Holmes: (holding up a pencil) Do you know what I think of when I see this? Berlin. August, 1982. Now bear with me. I was in a cafe, and I saw a man do a crossword with such unrestrained vigor that he broke his pencil right in two. It was exactly identical to this one. Exactly the same.
Holmes: What does that have to do with anything?
Green Holmes: I am merely stretching my cranial muscles for the task ahead.
Holmes: We'd best divide up. There's a little too much whimsey happening, and not enough detective work.
PRESS
-
Do you remember what it was like to see your world as a game?… I was happy to catch a glimpse of that feeling again this weekend with SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MYSTERY OF PORTAGE PARK … adults and children alike take delight in the seemingly ordinary world around them.”
– Erin Roche, PerformInk (Critics Pick)
-
“”Filament Theatre Ensemble serves up a family treat that warms up the cheeks of everyone from your fourth grader to blousy Aunt Millicent… Situations that inspire childhood giggles are melded with historical sleuthing…and community building…. Grab the kids and go!”
Aaron Hunt, Newcity Stage (Recommended )
AUDIENCE REACTIONS
-
“We had everyone from ages 8-50+ in our group, and there was fun had by all. The walking wasn’t strenuous either. I’m pregnant and had zero issues keeping pace, and my mom, who has back problems was completely fine as well…As soon as we left, we were planning on when we would come back and do it again…100% unique in every way with five star performances by all! Bravo Filament Theatre, you’ve just won yourself a big time fan! … ”
Bella via Yelp
-
“I loved how the fun started with the cases we had to solve. I loved my red group…. I loved the singing and the humming… Super super fun.”
Seth, age 11, via email
-
“I can not tell you how much me and my 11 year old son enjoyed the show. As we were leaving, my son exclaimed “That was the best time I’ve had in a long time!” (And thats from a kid that loves the rush from thrill rides.) … I was impressed with how the neighborhood embraced the performance… Thank you for such a fun afternoon. We will be back.”
Cheryl (Seth’s mom) via email
-
“Awesome very well thought out! … We will return with my niece and nephew, been talking it up since.”
Steve via email
-
“I LOVED this show!! FIVE STARS!!!”
Bella via Facebook
-
“Fun was had by all. Highly recommend it.”
Doug1977 via Everyblock
Productions
Premiered July 2015, Filament Theatre (Chicago, IL)
Produced by:
Filament Theatre, Chicago (2016)
Production photos by Dominick Maino