Booked & Scene

Gloucester Stage is currently presenting Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, written by Kate Hamil and directed by Rebecca Bradshaw. This reimagining of the world’s most famous detective duo places Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in a sharp, fast-paced comedy that’s equal parts mystery, satire, and character study. With disguises, plot twists, and fourth-wall breaks, the show asks what happens when two brilliant women take on crime-solving in their own apartment, and in their own way.

The Game Is Afoot: Eryn O’Sullivan as Holmes

Wow. I mean, wow. Eryn O’Sullivan as Ms. Sherlock Holmes is an absolute force. She brings wit, charm, and a remarkable physicality to the role, blending humor with flashes of cunning brilliance. Rarely leaving the stage, she sustains an energy and composure that makes her performance both commanding and deeply entertaining. From her rapid-fire banter to her leaps, contortions, and sly glances, O’Sullivan makes Holmes magnetic: clever, unpredictable, and an absolute delight to watch.

The Supporting Cast of Characters

Grace Experience shines as Irene Adler, Mrs. Hudson, and others. Her accent work, physical transformation, and scene-stealing presence—especially as Adler—made her a joy to watch. Stephen Shore handles Inspector Lestrade, Elliot Monk, and multiple additional roles with humor and agility, particularly in his playful asides to the audience. Breezy Leigh’s Dr. Joan Watson provides a counterbalance to O’Sullivan’s Holmes, grounding the whirlwind of antics as the show’s “straight man” figure. Together, the ensemble keeps the story moving with wit and energy.

Clues in the Design

Deb Sullivan’s lighting and Julian Crocamo’s sound design were key in creating the play’s signature vibe. From the sharp snap of a cue to the subtle underscoring of tension, they gave the piece that noir-inspired, old-school detective feel in an incredibly modern way. Those choices helped smooth over some of the tonal shifts and carried the audience through the show’s more exaggerated moments. Chelsea Kerl’s costumes deserve a mention for how much they added to the characters themselves, Holmes’s sharp lines and Adler’s striking elegance and red pantsuit gave instant insight into who these people are before they even spoke. The chalkboard floor was another highlight, doubling as both set and storytelling tool. Watching the actors sketch out little details brought a playful layer to the staging, almost like peeking into the detectives’ notebooks in real time. These design elements gave the production a sense of cohesion and made it feel more dynamic.

A Case of Too Many Pages

The biggest drawback of this production is its length. While billed at 2 hours and 10 minutes, the show stretched closer to 2 hours and 40, and it felt it. Kate Hamil’s script is packed with cleverness, but trimming 30–40 minutes would have sharpened the comedy and let the story breathe instead of drag. Certain jokes and setups started to feel repetitive, undercutting moments that might have landed harder in a leaner version.

Scene transitions also became a sticking point. Sometimes they involved stylized “bits” that overstayed their welcome, other times they were simply visible sets or costume changes. Instead of feeling like part of the show’s whimsy, they felt like pauses in the action, breaking momentum.

Lastly, the panic attack subplot didn’t quite resonate. While it seemed intended to add depth and vulnerability, the way it played out felt overblown and disconnected from the main mystery. Watching Holmes deliberately test Watson to induce one felt especially jarring, and the eventual payoff didn’t feel satisfying enough to justify the repeated interruptions. The script may limit how much a director can shift here, but in this production it created tonal whiplash.

Verdict: Worth the Investigation

Despite its length, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B is a witty and inventive reimagining of Doyle’s detectives. Eryn O’Sullivan and Grace Experience, in particular, deliver performances that make the trip to Gloucester Stage worthwhile. With clever design elements, a playful script, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this case may not be closed—but it’s certainly entertaining. Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B runs at Gloucester Stage through September 27.

📸: Shawn Henry Photos