CHICAGO—It’s Christmastime in the British countryside. Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Dr. Watson arrive at the manor house of Watson’s army comrade Col. Horatio Adams. A variety of guests, including a jewel thief, are celebrating when three precious jewels are stolen during a pantomime being performed by the guests at the party. It’s a perfect setting for the Baker Street super sleuth Sherlock Holmes to dazzle everyone with his uncanny abilities. Of course, solving the puzzle will be easy for Sherlock. It’s a fun whodunnit escapade for mystery aficionados at City Lit Theatre in Chicago.
This isn’t a typical Sherlock story, however. The plot was taken from a G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown story. Here, Sherlock is substituted for Father Brown. John Weagly adapted the plot from the short story “The Flying Stars” by G.K. Chesterton, but swapped Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Holmes in for Father Brown.
In the story, Watson and Holmes, instead of Father Brown, are in the country for a Boxing Day party. The wealthy Lady Gabriella has given her goddaughter, Ruby, the “Flying Stars” jewels, which are stolen during Christmas festivities, and is the mystery which Holmes needs to solve.
Lady Gabriella (Betsy Pennington-Taylor) shows Ruby Adams (Sophia Vitello) the beautiful jewels, while John Crook (Manny Sevilla) looks on, in “Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns.” (Steven Townsend, Distant Era)Perhaps Weagly exchanged the detectives because he believed that Sherlock was a better sleuth than Father Brown, or would be more likely to attract an audience for a whodunnit, or is more likely to provide some fun repartee with his deductive reasoning. Indeed, Father Brown isn’t the bragging sort full of ego.
Sherlock talks at length about his success in bringing criminals to justice, his extraordinary deductive reasoning, and the ease with which he spots clues others miss. Of course, when he discovers the thief who took the diamonds, he explodes with “It’s elementary.”
Since Sherlock is the most famous detective in the world, it’s crucial that the actor portraying him is convincing. James Sparling, who plays Sherlock, provides the perfect combination of eccentricity and deductive genius. He delivers the best lines in the show when he explains his method. It includes his famous saying: “When you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
As Sherlock, Sparling projects a bit of social awkwardness yet is brilliant when he explains how he uses logic, observation, and deductive reasoning to solve crimes. That’s why he’s never wrong. Holmes demonstrates his big ego throughout the play by constantly mentioning his successes in previous cases, including “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Speckled Band.”
Ruby Adams (Sophia Vitello) and Col. Adams (Mark Mendelsohn), in “Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns.” (Steven Townsend, Distant Era)As Sherlock’s confidant and narrator Dr. Watson, Adam Bitterman comes through with affability and naivety. He offers many moments of surprise at Sherlock’s solutions as do many in the audience.
Other wonderful portraits include Mark Mendelsohn as Col. Adams, Betsy Pennington-Taylor as the very rich Lady Gabriella, Sophia Vitello as the goddaughter, Alex George as the maid, Bruce Holtman as the chauffeur, Maggie Cain as a messenger, and a very funny David Fink as the policeman. Many of these actors do double duty playing minor characters as well as singing and dancing in the harmonious ensemble.
Directed by Brian Pastor, the play moves swiftly and flawlessly. This homage to mysteries and celebration of an English Christmas is a delightful romp that features some sharp dialogue, colorful costumes, plenty of holiday carols. There are even a few snappy scenes from Gilbert and Sullivan.
Furthermore, the Victorian set design of an English country manor by Jeremiah Barr fits right in with the narrative. kClare (yes, her name has a K at the beginning that is not capped) McKellaston’s costume design with Liz Cooper’s lighting takes the audience back to England of yesteryear.
The cast of “Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns.” (Steven Townsend, Distant Era)“Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns” has everything needed for a terrific holiday treat. There is mystery, a beloved and familiar detective, Christmas carols, witty moments from previous Sherlock whodunnits, comic scenes of British nostalgia, lots of laughs, and a wonderful sing-a-long at the finale. You’ll enjoy this performance of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” What more could a theatergoer ask for during the Christmas season and into the New Year!
‘Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns’
City Lit Theater at
Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 2nd floor
1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago
Tickets: 773-293-3682 or citylit.org
Runs: One hour (no intermission)
Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
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