Take some Sherlock Holmes, add a little bit of Shakespeare, throw in a murder and stage it at the famed Gillette Castle and what do you have? Ken Ludwig’s newest play “The Game’s Afoot”.
William Gillette was an actor, inventor and playwright in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries who wrote a play about Sherlock Holmes and subsequently played the title role in 1300 performances over a span of 30 years. During this time, Gillette purchased some property on a hillside near the Connecticut River and built a castle on it. This castle, now known as the Gillette Castle, sets the stage for our current production. Many facets of the character are reminiscent of Gillette himself. He invented a number of gadgets especially when it came to stage effects. He also helped shape the image of the Sherlock Holmes we know today. He introduced the curved pipe as well as the now famous deerstalker cap and trench coat.
Mitch Hall as William Gillette
Most of the characters are actor friends of Gillette’s who often quote lines from Shakespeare as if it was as normal as talking about the weather. This is where the play gets it’s title “The Game’s Afoot”. In Henry V, during the famous speech that begins “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more…”, we find the lines “I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot: Follow your spirit…”
Does it get any more theatrical? A cast of actors, playing actors while quoting Shakespeare? I think not! But there is plenty of drama to go around in this new comedy.
Seating is currently limited to those who have season tickets, but you can call the box office to be added to the waiting list. Better yet, get some season tickets. “Zorro the Musical” is coming up next and you definitely don’t want to miss that!
