New faces in ‘The Final Adventure’ at the Peacock

(Photo by Ashley Elver)

The cast of the upcoming production of 'Sherlock Homes'. From left: Alex Giles, Angela Stiles, Jon Jordan, Grace MacLean and David Cady

By Harrison Keely

Guest Writer

There’s just one week left until Sherlock Holmes takes over Hayesville’s Peacock Performing Arts Center to tackle the show’s titular “final adventure.”

The renowned sleuth is portrayed by Hiawassee resident Alex Giles. Giles has starred in a spate of Peacock shows over the past few years such as Jekyll and Hyde, Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma!, and Wrong Window. Yet he says Holmes may be his most demanding role yet.

(Photo by Ashley Elver) Holmes and Watson: Ben March and Alex Giles.

“Nailing down the mannerisms is a challenge,” he says. “Holmes’ eccentric nature is matched only by his intellect. He’s a genius and always ten steps ahead, but he also has his reservations on how to solve problems.”

Murphy’s Angela Stiles plays Irene Adler, the only woman to get under Holmes’ skin.

This is Stiles’ ninth Peacock show and her first time playing a leading lady.

“Irene reminds me so much of myself,” Stiles says. “Ever the actress, she never lets on how she really feels… I’m very much like that.”

Holmes’ companion, Dr. Watson, is portrayed by Ben March of Hayesville. March says Watson functions as narrator and drives much of the story, especially through scene changes.

That’s important because there’s not always a traditional blackout between scenes in this show. Control booth operator Jim Oliver of Brasstown says many transitions happen while dialogue is ongoing.

The Final Adventure also welcomes several new actors for their first adventures on the Peacock stage.

Chad Kremblas of Young Harris plays the King of Bohemia, a European monarch who approaches Holmes because he’s dealing with a very personal and potentially embarrassing problem.

Kremblas says he’d always wanted to pursue acting, so he decided to stop talking about it and actually do it.

“There’s something really fun about playing a character who can walk into a room and completely change the energy,” he says.

Grace MacLean of Warne is similarly a first-timer. Originally from Massachusetts, she recently graduated college in N.C. and joined AmeriCorps. That landed her a fellowship at Chatuge Family Practice next door to the Peacock. While walking by the theatre on a lunch break, she noticed a sign for auditions. Now MacLean plays Madge, one of the show’s villains.

Hiawassee resident Gabe Douberly is making his main-season debut at the Peacock after previously appearing in a summer camp production there. He’s a student at The Actor's Scene drama school in Atlanta and enjoys writing his own scripts. In The Final Adventure, he plays the Post Boy and the Swiss Man.

The cast also includes Ed Legue as Professor Moriarty, Jon Jordan as Norton and Larrabee, David Cady as Sid Prince, and David Layfield as the Clergyman.

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure runs October 9-11 and 16-18 at the Peacock Performing Arts Center, 301 Church St., Hayesville. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. For information, call 828-389-2787 or visit thepeacocknc.org.