“The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays” at Jackson County Community Theatre.
Auditions have been scheduled for the December production of Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays” at Jackson County Community Theatre.
“The Game’s Afoot,” written by Ken Ludwig, is a thrilling comedic mystery play that invites audiences into the world of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, but with a twist. The full title of the play is “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays.” It combines elements of mystery, humor, and intrigue, making it a delightful and engaging theatrical experience.
Set in the 1930s, the play is not an adaptation of any specific Sherlock Holmes story by Arthur Conan Doyle but rather a unique and imaginative tale featuring the iconic detective himself. The story revolves around the character William Gillette, a renowned actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on the stage. When a murder occurs during a weekend gathering of his fellow cast members at his elegant Connecticut mansion, Gillette assumes the role of Sherlock Holmes in real life to solve the crime.
What follows is a rollercoaster of wit, humor, and suspense as Gillette investigates the murder, employing Holmesian deduction techniques. The play cleverly blurs the lines between reality and fiction, with the characters taking on dual roles as both actors and suspects. Each character has their own secrets and motives, adding layers of intrigue to the unfolding mystery.
Available roles:
- William Gillette, the dynamic and charming stage actor renowned for his portrayal of Holmes.
- Felix Geisel, the company’s Moriarity, Gillette’s best friend and occasional sidekick and an overly dramatic stage player.
- Simon Bright, an enthusiastic young man eager to please and find success on the stage.
- Inspector Harriet Goring.
- Martha Gillette, William’s dotty mother, elegant but a bit foggy.
- Madge Geisel, who like her husband has spent her life on the stage and is game for anything but if cornered will come out swinging; Aggie Wheeler, the ingenue of the company who is good-natured and kind in spite of tragedy in her past.
- Daria Chase, a theater critic who is utterly charming despite the terrible things she writes.
The auditions will take place on September 24th and 25th at 7 p.m.
The Royal Off-the-Square Theatre, located at 121 W. Walnut St., Brownstown.
