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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Phoenix bank robbery suspect jailed ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 22, 1916 ... Tiger trout to battle chubs in Diamond Lake ... Phoenix bank robbery suspect jailed ... Mail Tribune 100, Jan. 22, 1916 ... Tiger trout to battle chubs in Diamond Lake ... THEATER 'Holmes and Watson Save the Empire' Musical spoof of the sleuth duo opens at Randall Theatre Comment By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 20, 2016 at 4:32 PM By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 20, 2016 at 4:32 PM » Social News The game’s afoot! The British Empire is in big trouble, and it’s up to the greatest crime-fighting duo in literary history to save it. In Randall Theater’s production of the musical comedy “Holmes and Watson Save the Empire,” the Baker Street pair decipher crazy clues and solve wacky puzzles in order to foil a fiendish plot. “This play is goofy and fun and incredibly funny,” says Brianna Gowland, the show's director. The musical-mystery farce focuses on Sherlock Holmes and John Watson’s friendship, and stars Randall’s artistic director Robin Downward as Holmes, Jon Oles as Watson and Jacob Uhlman in two supporting roles. An opening-night reception with food and drinks will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the community theater, 10 N. Third St., Medford. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22 and 23, Thursdays through Saturdays, Jan. 28-30, Feb. 4-6 and Feb. 11-13. Matinees are 1 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 24 and 31, and Feb. 7 and 14. Reserved seating for the opening-night reception is $20. Reserved seating for all other performances is $18. Pay-what-you-want tickets will be available at the door 30 minutes before curtain. Reserved seating can be purchased online at randalltheatre.com or by calling 541-632-3258. Gowland says it’s hard to say anything about the play without giving away too much. “I will say that Holmes and Watson receive some clues that point to a terrible fate for the British Empire. As they uncover the clues, they make some unexpected discoveries.” It’s a wild mystery that involves Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, The Gaiety Theatre in London's West End, a German cabaret singer and Watson in a dress. Gowland says part of the reason Downward chose “Holmes and Watson” was his long-held affection for the play. About five years ago, he played the same role at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland. “The play is really special to him,” Gowland says. “He picked it because he likes it so much and wants to share it with audiences again.” This is Gowland’s first time directing at Randall Theatre, and she says she is delighted with the experience. “I was really scared and nervous, especially directing the artistic director, not to mention he had already performed in this show. But he has been great about letting me have my vision and run with it,” Gowland says. “What has been awesome is that there has been a lot of collaboration and a lot of support from all three actors.” “Holmes and Watson Save the Empire” was written by award-winning Ashland playwrights Malcolm Hillgartner and Jahnna Beecham. Hillgartner wrote the music, and he and Beecham together wrote the lyrics. “It’s not your typical Holmes and Watson,” Gowland says. “They are a lot sillier than they are in the books or movies, but they are still true to the characters.” Gowland says that while the play itself is silly, the actors take their work very seriously. “All three actors are so good. They are able to amp up the comedy in ways that are really smart and surprising,” Gowland says. “I think the audience will especially like the musical numbers, they are all a heck of a lot of fun.” Costume design is by Toni Holley, Michael Wing is the musical director and Debbie Downward is the choreographer. Angela Decker is a freelance writer in Ashland and can be reached at [email protected] By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 20, 2016 at 4:32 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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