Sherlock Holmes Mystery Opens at the Peacock

(Photo by Pam Roman)

The cast of Sherlock Holmes from left to right: Angela Stiles, Ed Legue, Chad Kremblas, Ben March, Alex Giles, David Cady, Grace MacLean, David Layfield (not pictured: Jon Jordan, Gabriel Douberly)

By Harrison Keely

Guest Writer

Legendary detective Sherlock Holmes might have wrapped up his career if there wasn’t a case at the Peacock too tempting to ignore.

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure opens Friday at Hayesville’s Peacock Performing Arts Center.

Audiences should not expect “yet another Sherlock Holmes mystery,” says Jim Oliver, a Brasstown resident who runs the control booth.

“Director Ali Whitlock is pulling out all the stops,” Oliver says. “This play will use almost all the technical capabilities we have. That doesn't happen very often.”

Alex Giles of Hiawassee plays Holmes, Hayesville’s Ben March is Dr. Watson, and Murphy’s Ed Legue and Angela Martin play Professor Moriarity and Irene Adler respectively.

Bohemia’s crown ruler, brought to life by Young Harris’ Chad Kremblas, finds himself at the heart of the crime.

“The king is accustomed to having authority, so putting himself in the hands of someone like Holmes creates some really interesting tension,” Kremblas says. “This show is Sherlock Holmes, but it’s not necessarily the Sherlock Holmes story you think you’re walking into.”

The cast also includes Gabe Douberly, Jon Jordan, and David Layfield. One of the villains, Madge, is played by Grace MacLean of Warne.

“This show is so fast-paced and clever,” MacLean says. “The script is packed with clues and foreshadowing. It’s a perfect mystery for Halloween!”

MacLean is one of five actors in the show using the theatre’s new wireless microphone system for the first time. Operating the mics, which let audiences hear every word with clarity, is a nightly feat for Oliver. In addition to plying technical cues like lights and sound effects, Oliver mutes, unmutes, and adjusts the volume for actors on the fly. He says he provides the show’s new actors with extra attention to make sure they’re comfortable with the gear so nothing goes wrong backstage.

Hayesville’s David Cady was a backstage helper for the theatre’s previous show – musical extravaganza 9 to 5. In The Final Adventure, Cady plays Sid Prince, a street thug who works for Moriarity. Cady says all that time behind the scenes over the summer gave him the itch to get back to acting, donning his best Cockney accent for Holmes.

As for why you should see the show?

“Because everybody loves Sherlock Holmes,” Cady exclaims, before adding, ”Well… except for us street thugs and other criminals.”

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.

Finally, in the spirit of adventure, the Peacock is adding a Christmas play this season titled Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). Auditions are Oct. 17 from 10-1 and Oct. 19 and 20 from 6-8 p.m. Callbacks are Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. Performances are Dec. 11-13 & 18-20. Director Ashley Elver is looking for three men to play multiple roles but gender is flexible! Scripts are in the office along with more information.