Richmond’s Gateway Theatre has opened its 2025/2026 Mainstage season with the B.C. premiere of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill. Onstage until October 25, the quick-witted, comedic interpretation of the classic detective tale is directed by Lauren Taylor.
Starring Kate Besworth as Sherlock Holmes and Rami Kahlon as Dr. Joan Watson, this feminist adaptation brings the Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle classic to post-pandemic London. Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B follows the iconic duo as they stumble through revolving doors and Doritos in a new living arrangement, solving crimes with the chaotic brilliance expected of the master sleuth.
Set in present-day 221B Baker Street, a creative set by Designer Emily Dotson that switches on the fly to cover for all manner of location through a variety of doors and lighting. The fast-paced play serves up a healthy dose of laughs, drama, and mystery as it touches on many of Sherlock’s famous cases. Throughout, the play introduces a host of other well-known characters from the chronicles of the great detective; Baker Street Landlady Mrs. Hudson, Irene Adler, Inspector Lestrade, Professor Moriarty. These, plus other supporting characters are brilliantly played by Anita Wittenberg and Mark Chavez rapidly switching between personas. Often character changes and costumes take place on stage as the lights dim and props switch location with the action, adding to the vibrant energy of the production. Costume Designer Emily Friesen and Lighting Designer Jonathan Kim skillfully help define the separation between characters and settings.
Besworth is another source of the boundless energy racing throughout Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, pouncing around the stage like a sprite, Sherlock’s body trying to catch up to her brilliant mind. Countered by Kahlon’s Watson, in this case an expat newly arrived from the USA, is herself a conundrum that Holmes tries to crack. Her psyche, like so many others’, thrown off by the recent pandemic, she has escaped to London and finds a new outlook thanks to Sherlock. Initially Watson takes on the role of the outsider looking-in, before being more involved in Holmes’ cases as their lives become more entwined.
As the play’s narrator, breaking the fourth wall to set up the premise, the appearance of cosmically comical Mark Chavez signals the audience is in for an evening of great fun. The company certainly delivers on the promise of fun, presenting an electric, invigorating and smart comedy full of stellar performances.
Presented in English with Traditional and Simplified Chinese surtitles, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B runs until October 25, 2025 on the Mainstage at Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond. Show details and tickets are available at gatewaytheatre.com – look for performances of note including 2 for 1, Tea Matinee & Talkback, Thirsty Thursday Wine Tasting, Vocal Eye and Relaxed Performances.