Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective - Live at Walnut Street Theatre

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- "Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective" is a brand-new series of action-packed adventures. "This goes from Switzerland to London to France to Luxembourg," says Bill Van Horn, actor, director and writer of "Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective." "The style is very madcap and there's tons of comedy," says actor Harry Smith, who's playing the title role. "And Sherlock plays a number of other roles within the play cause he's a master of disguise." He adds that the props, like Holmes' pipe, create "instant character." "Holmes is an amazing genius," says Van Horn. "His deductive powers are beyond anything anyone knows." Van Horn plays his staid sidekick Dr. Watson, chronicler of Holmes' adventures. He says Dr. Watson is there "for Holmes to lean on," but he's often rescued by Holmes as well. "What I was interested in as a writer was the relationship between Watson and Holmes as they got older," he says. The world premiere is adapted from two stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Van Horn says the first act is about Holmes' "demise," but the second act has Holmes coming back into Watson's life and together they "fight crime once more." "The heart of the show, I think, is friendship," he says. Six actors play a variety of roles. Actor Mary Martello plays Mrs. Hudson, Holmes' landlady at 221B Baker Street. "She's afraid pretty much of nothing," says Martello. And she also plays Colonel Sebastian Moran who she describes as "a bad guy." But not as bad as Holmes' nemesis, Moriarty, who Holmes' plans to take down. "He enjoys getting the better of his adversaries," says Smith. He adds that Holmes believes that capturing the arch villain will "be his legacy." "Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective" runs through February 15 at the Walnut Street Theatre. For more information: "Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective" Link to Tickets at Walnut Street Theatre