Did you know that famous writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a long association with Southsea? Or that he invented his most famous character of all – Sherlock Holmes – while he was living right here?
In just a few weeks’ time, you can learn more about our very special local connection and help celebrate it at Holmes Fest. Perhaps best described as a classic variety show, it has something for everyone – whether you’re already a Holmes fan or simply looking for a great night out.
Presented in the finest Victorian music hall style, it promises two hours of non-stop entertainment, fun and silliness with a fantastic line up of short acts that will get us laughing, thinking, singing along – and maybe even dressing up! Holmes Fest will run for two nights at Portsmouth’s Groundlings Theatre on 20 and 21 November. Ahead of the show, I caught up with the man behind it all, local writer Matt Wingett, to find out more…
Thanks for joining me Matt! What’s Holmes Fest all about?
The idea behind Holmes Fest is simple – to celebrate the life and times of Arthur Conan Doyle in Portsmouth and, of course, his greatest creation Sherlock Holmes!
We’re so lucky to have this extraordinary character associated with our city, and just want to create a really fun festival that draws people from all over.
I started Holmes Fest in 2017. It completely sold out and we ran it again the following year. But then the pandemic got in the way and, for various reasons, this is the first year I’ve been free to start it again.
We held the show one night at The Square Tower this February which sold out in advance, and lots of people asked me to run it again. So here we are, back for two nights in a bigger venue!
What would you say it is about Arthur Conan Doyle that inspires you?
Doyle was a larger-than-life character and I think I admire him most because his approach to writing was the same as his approach to life: he was completely fearless!
His writing also extends far beyond just Sherlock Holmes. From comedy to detective fiction, through horror, historical fiction to romance, he was all-achieving.
For example, he also invented the ‘killer mummy’ genre which inspired countless movies and is still going strong, while Jurassic Park owes pretty much everything to his sci-fi novel The Lost World.
And that’s just his writing! The rest of his life was equally full. I think people love him because they see such great energy both in the Holmes stories and in the man himself.
So what can we expect from the show?
We’re going for a Victorian music hall feel, with a short film at the start, followed by different local acts performing their own funny and sometimes dark interpretations of Holmes-related themes.
For example you’ll meet Portsmouth writer Christine Lawrence playing Mrs Hudson – his landlady at 221b Baker Street. She’ll be telling us the “real” story of what goes on behind closed doors!
Poet Jackson Davis will be rapping about the life of Conan Doyle, while Janet Ayers and Matt Parson will appear as comedy music hall duo Hudson and Lestrade.
There’s even a guest appearance by Mark Wingett, star of The Bill and Quadrophenia, who I roped in because he’s my brother!
Audience dressing up is also definitely encouraged. The Steampunks often come along in their finery and we’ve had some amazing outfits in the past: women in fabulous dresses and – of course – plenty of Sherlocks.
There are plenty of other shenanigans in store too – it will be a riot!
Who do you think the show will appeal to?
Holmes Fest is for everyone! There really is something here for all ages and backgrounds, with such a wide variety of acts to enjoy – from film to comedy, and rapping to singing.
After all, Sherlock Holmes is a great part of our popular culture and has now inspired well over 250 movies, going right back to the early days of the silents. People just love him, and that’s what this show celebrates.
There’s some cool stuff happening offstage which will appeal to art fans too. We have local artists, such as Jim Waterfield and Jasper Smithers, showing some of their work and riffing off the whole Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle vibe!
How to book your tickets
Holmes Fest runs for two nights at Groundlings Theatre 42 Kent Street, Portsmouth PO1 3BS on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 November at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £15 and are available from the theatre’s website here.
Photo by Mark Wingett: Mark stars as fictional Victorian character Sir Algernon Blenkinsop-Carver
