A collection of historic reviews and articles on Sherlockian theatrical performances from contemporary newspapers.

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Sherlock Holmes (Charles Rogers)
1894
May 28 - June 02: Theatre Royal, Glasgow

(Information above on performance dates is derived from newspaper archives and is therefore likely to be incomplete.)

“SHERLOCK HOLMES”
-

A Psychological Drama, in Five Acts,
by Charles Rogers
Produced at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, on Monday, May 28th, 1894.

Sherlock Holmes…..MR JOHN WEBB
Dr James Watson…..MR ST JOHN HAMUND
Wilton Hursher…..MR ARTHUR LYLE
Augustus Featherleigh…..MR C.M. CURTIS
Dr Macfarlane…..MR ROY COCHRANE
Dr Grant…..MR HUGH NOLAN
Mr Westlake…..MR CONOR
Thompson…..MR PHILIP ROOKE
Jones…..MR JAMES MAYALL
Billy…..MR KENYON LYLE
Lord Chief Justice…..MR QUATERMAIN
Groves…..MR BOWES
Rev. Mr Williamson…..MR ARCHIBALD
Hawkins…..MR JAMES
Cotton…..MR WATSON
Police-sergeant Thomas…..MR CONSTABLE
Mrs Watson…..MISS PHYLLIS MANNERS
Ruby Hursher…..MISS EDITH LEWIS
Jane…..MISS JENNY HICKS
Rachel…..MISS ELAINE TURNER
Lily…..MISS CISSY SEPHTON

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

Sherlock Holmes has become a real and familiar personage for the English reader of fiction, and it was inevitable that the indefatigable amateur detective should become the hero of a sensational drama. Mr Charles Rogers has told his story in five acts.

Wilton Hursher, a madman, takes refuge from the pursuit of the police in the house of a certain Dr Watson. Here the maniac, in an interview with the doctor, gives him a blow which knocks him senseless, and then carries him of to his (Hursher’s) house.

The shock has destroyed Watson’s memory, and when Sherlock Holmes visits the house the doctor does not recognise him. Watson is even induced to marry the madman’s daughter, and when confronted with his own wife and child in the church cannot recollect them, and wants the bigamous ceremony to go on.

Holmes drugs Watson in order to stop him from committing the crime, and Sherlock is arrested and imprisoned, charged with murder. However, he escapes, gets to the Central Hospital, and prevents a post-mortem examination of Watson’s body being made.

Hursher poisons himself in the last act of the drama, Watson’s memory returns to him, and he is united with his wife.

Sherlock Holmes is a stirring and exciting piece, and was received on Monday with cordial favour.

The cast was a strong one and included Mr John Webb, who played Sherlock Holmes earnestly and with much success. The part of Dr Watson was in the hands of Mr St J. Hamund, and a careful rendering was given by that gentleman. Mr Arthur Lyle, a sterling actor, gave a vivid portrayal of Wilton Hursher. Mr Roy Cochrane was very successful in the minor part of Dr Macfarlane. The same can be said of Mr Nolan (Dr Grant).

Miss Phyllis Manners enacted Mrs Watson gracefully, and the role of Lily was entrusted to Miss Cissy Sephton, who proved clever and engaging. Miss Edith Lewis and Miss Jenny Hicks were very successful in their respective roles.

The staging was appropriate.

The Era, Saturday 2 June 1894
found at www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk