The Mask Of Moriarty by Hugh Leonard

Northern Theatre Studio2
Nov 5-7 1993

An impossible murder on Waterloo Bridge and the true identity of Jack The Ripper are but two of the problems faced by Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson as they face up to their arch-enemy in this hilarious spoof of the Conan Doyle stories.

Cast

P.C Travesty

Dave Barber

Gwen Mellors

Helen Robinson

Alice

Joanne Leach

Bunny St John Manders

Peter Glendenen

Sherlock Holmes

Matthew Buckley

Dr Watson

David Burton

O'Shaugnessy

Gordon Bown

Inspector Lestrade

Ray Rumkee

August Personage

Jenny Stewart

Moriarty

Jonathan Weadon

Herring

Dave Pearson

Lord Melmoth

Ray Rumkee

Landlord

Dave Barber

Lily

Sharon Burton

Sailors

Gordon Bown

*

Val Howell

*

Jonathan Weadon

Methylated Mary

Betty Burton

Directed by Ray Rumkee

Director's Commentary

This was fantastic fun as a director in which I had to work out a way to turn Jonathan as Moriarty into Matthew, who played Holmes (but was also Moriarty due to plastic surgery) on stage in full view of the audience. Needless to say, we found a way. This was a terrific laugh, and everyone had a ball doing it, as I recall, especially Betty who had one of her rare onstage roles as Methylated Mary, a drunken old bag who she played with worrying believability Ray

The Audience Won't Notice

On the first night Dave Pearson leaned on the sideboard he'd made and the whole thing collapsed in a heap beneath him. Right at the end of the play, fortunately. Joanne’s dad made all our props after that.

Quote, Unquote

The only time I've played a member of Royalty and a pub in the same play - Queen Vic! Jenny
Back in drag for the first time since 'Love's A Luxury'. Watson complained that Holmes always got to wear the disguises and so ended up in a frock! David

I made David's dress and had to draw all the curtains at home during fitting. What would the neighbours think? Sharon
Memorable for David in a beautiful gown with matching handbag. This was the one where the bookcase collapsed. The cast continued as if this was part of the plot like troupers Betty
My brother, Dave, lent me the flute; if only he’d given me some painkillers for the back pain I got from Dr Watson tipping me over backwards - you never did that in rehearsal David, bad boy! This was also the only time I’ve played a joke on someone in the cast. The fake ‘newspaper’ that Peter had to read; it took me ages to make and he couldn’t see it because he wasn’t wearing his glasses and he’s more blind than Blind Lemon Pugh! Bugger! Helen