Holmes and Watson Discovered in North Yorkshire

The satnav (whose name is Sheila) took us on a remarkably interesting route on the way to Masham, in North Yorkshire. Once we got to Harrogate we thought it would be Ripon and then on to Masham, but oh no, she had other ideas. We went through winding, narrow country lanes passing farms, snow-covered fields and generally The Middle of Nowhere. All very pretty but I don't know why Sheila chose this route. We suspect it was revenge for ignoring her advice to go the simple way, up the A1.

Finally we arrived in Masham which is a lovely old market town with a proper town square in the middle and a proper fish and chip shop on the square. Fish and chips eaten outside in the slightly smoky fresh air - - fantastic!

We were going to see a play in the solid old Town Hall. Angus and Ross Theatre Company, performing Holmes and Watson - The Farewell Tour: a comedy by Stuart Fortey.

Julian Finnigan was playing Sherlock Holmes, and the play was directed by my friend David Robertson. As the writer, Stuart Fortey, is also a friend of mine, it would have been one of those occasions which can be really tricky if you hate the play.

In John Nettles' autobiography (him of Bergerac and Midsomer Murders) he says that if you go to see a friend of yours in a play, and it's terrible, and you know your friend's going to be touring in it for the next six months, then there's only one possible thing you can do when you meet your friend afterwards. And that is to look him in the eye, shake hands firmly, and declaim "Well done!"

Last night was not that kind of occasion. The play is hilarious: David's done a great job of directing it and the actors perform it brilliantly.

Sherlock Holmes is on a farewell lecture tour to demonstrate some of his greatest cases before taking a well-earned retirement. He is accompanied by Dr Watson, Inspector Lestrade and Mrs Hudson. Unfortunately, however, the set and props have been left behind in Hull, so Dr Watson has to improvise a set and props for the demanding Holmes, using whatever comes to hand.

Also, there are more parts than actors to play them so Dr Watson's acting abilities are called upon to play such roles as a Cockney floozie. Dr Watson is not, perhaps, a terribly good actor - though Dominic Goodwin, who plays him, fortunately is, and excels in his portrayals of "Dr Watson as the Prime Minister", for example.

The play has that glorious thing - a plot which seems complicated but is really easy to follow. Witty lines. Splendid comic timing. Julian Finnigan's coolly rational Holmes is a wonderful foil for Dominic Goodwin's Watson.

I loved it, and so, judging from the smiles and laughter and applause, did the rest of the - large - audience.

Stuart's done a very clever thing here - he's written a splendid play that doesn't need a van to tour it about, because it has a minimal set and a minimal number of actors. I hope that it will tour more widely after this initial outing.

If you're anywhere near any of the venues, below, do go and see it. It's a grim old winter and we could do with some fun.

Thursday 19th February: Hunsingore Village Hall
Tickets: 01423 358516 (7.45pm)

Friday 20th February: Evron Centre, Filey
Tickets: 01723 518003/518013

Saturday 21st February: Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
Tickets: 01748 825252

Sunday 22nd February: Kirk Theatre, Pickering
Tickets: 01653 648424

Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th February: Carriageworks, Leeds Tickets: 0113 224 3801

Friday 27th February: Sheriff Hutton Village Hall
Tickets: 01653 648424

Saturday 28th February: Hutton-Le-Hole Village Hall
Tickets: 01653 648424

All shows start at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated