The Preston Tringe Festival continued with the opening night of The Double-Headed Penny Farthing, a Sherlock Holmes adventure, by Robert Black.

It was a short but sweet whizz through a mystery that Holmes and Watson are able to solve from the comfort of their flat in Baker Street.Upon entering the show you are greeted by a butler who informs you that you have now entered 221B Baker Street, and you take your seats to find Watson (Christopher Ward) and Holmes (Alex Moran) already on stage, nonchantly drinking and reading a newspaper and a book.

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The show begins and you’re sucked into the world of Holmes, as what was previously seen as an open and shut case – the Hapfell Hall Diamond Theft – is reopened in breathless fashion as a letter from a police inspector arrives expressing doubts that the butler did it.

Holmes and Watson proceed to romp through the details of the case, with a cracking chemistry between Ward and Moran. Ward is excellent as a slightly fumbling Watson, while Moran nails the part of Holmes – as a slightly suave and dashing detective.

The cogs of Holmes’ mind are often too quick for Watson, and this leads to plenty of comic moments between the two – not forgetting a special moment when Holmes leaps into the arms of Watson.

The two put on a great performance in what is a very enjoyable Holmes adventure – that takes place without leaving the flat and the two actors did very well to keep the audience up to speed with what was a fairly complex case. Be warned, if you lose your concentration easily this play is not for you.

The Double-Headed Penny Farthing continues at the Adelphi on Monday 27th July and Tuesday 28th July 2009 at 6.30 PM.

Image credit to gregwake.