“Young Stamford looked rather strangely at me over his wine-glass. 'You don't know Sherlock Holmes yet,' he said; 'perhaps you would not care for him as a constant companion.'”

Just a few lines into A Study in Scarlet, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s first novel, and we find the first mention of the name, Sherlock Holmes, along with a veiled warning. Adventure is not for everyone dear reader, perhaps you’d prefer to stay at home under a nice warm blanket instead. And yet what could entice the reader more than the threat of meeting someone that might push their buttons, rile them up, and perhaps even get them involved in a few close calls. It turns out that’s exactly what happens too. From this first meeting Holmes and Watson go on to become the most famous detective duo in literature, and Conan Doyle would go on to define a genre with his stories, pacing, suspense, and structure. There’s not a detective or crime drama on television or in film that hasn't borrowed, adapted or stolen directly from Sherlock Holmes.

But what if there had been no great man of science and deduction? No Afghan War veteran doctor at his side? We start our play from the same place, the same time, and yet we look to the life of Victorian Era women for our inspiration. Living lives with fewer rights and opportunities than the men of the time, yet fighting fiercely to gain a better life for themselves. Pioneers like Doctor Elizabeth Garret Anderson, the first female physician and surgeon in England, are a part of our play for good reason. They inspire us and remind us that rooting our story in truth can be incredibly powerful. I was drawn to this script years ago when it was produced in Chicago, and I knew I wanted to bring it to Baltimore as soon as I could. These iconic characters, not reimagined, but reinvigorated, breathe new ideas, perspective, and relevance into these beloved detective stories. And this cast and production team have knocked it out of the park.

The power of women defying the prescribed roles that society has forced on them is the main theme of this piece. And yes, there is crime and murder and a mystery to solve. But there is also strength to be drawn on and a message for any who want to hear it. Please be warned, adventure is not for everyone. But you, dear reader, you look like someone who is ready to part with your comfortable surroundings for a while. Maybe even longer than you yet realize. And if that’s true, well then I think it’s time for you to meet Miss Sherlock Holmes. I think you just might prefer her as a constant companion.