Humphrey Ker and David Reed, co-writers of a new Christmas play about Sherlock Holmes, will play the starring roles in the production at Birmingham Rep.
Ker will play Holmes and Reed will be Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas. They will be joined by John Kearns as Inspector Lestrade and Margaret Cabourn-Smith as Mrs Hudson.
Ker said, “as diehard Sherlock Holmes fans, Dave and I are absolutely delighted to have tricked Birmingham Rep into allowing us to write and star in a wildly silly Holmes and Watson adventure. I can't wait to don the deerstalker and become Sherlock Holmes.”
Reed added, “Humphrey and I have been obsessed with the characters of Holmes and Watson ever since we met on a stage in Edinburgh some 20 years ago. We pastiched them in our first radio series The Brothers Faversham and crowbarred them into our turns on the BBC Two improvised sketch show Fast and Loose. To get to play them in earnest is quite honestly a dream come true.
“I can’t quite believe it’s real but, barring being framed for a series of genuine murders and having to become fugitives from the law, it appears to be actually happening. I’m pinching myself daily. It’s incredibly exciting.”
In 2022 Reed wrote and appeared in his debut theatrical production, Guy Fawkes, for York Theatre Royal.
Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas features original songs by legendary musical theatre duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It will be directed by Philip Breen with Becky Hope-Palmer. The creative team also features Mark Bailey (designer), Anna Watson (lighting designer), Georgina Lamb (movement), Renny Krupinksi (fights) and Helena Palmer (casting).
Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas will run at Birmingham Rep from Friday 14 November until Sunday 11 January 2026.