Sherlock Holmes Review at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre London

Attending a show at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre feels like a real occasion, as you stroll through the beautiful rose gardens to the outdoor amphitheatre where the trees and an open expanse of sky form a limitless backdrop. Just a stone’s throw away is Baker Street, where one of the most famous, albeit fictional, addresses of English literature houses the detective Sherlock Holmes. So to see a theatrical production of Sherlock Holmes unfold in Regent’s Park is a very special treat indeed. 

Victorian London may not have had a 221b Baker Street, but Sir Arthur Conan Doyle certainly would have enjoyed the pleasures of the Regent’s Park, and one can well imagine his characters in this very spot. 

That said, this new mystery by Joel Horwood, although loosely based on The Sign of Four, firmly takes a contemporary perspective in retelling this 19th-century tale. Horwood takes great care to provide a more wide-reaching interpretation of events and even the characters, and the script becomes a definite commentary on the history of the British Empire. Together with director Sean Holmes, they have clearly created a Sherlock Holmes intended for reflection in 2026 and to exploit the site-specific setting of Regent’s Park. 

The set design by Grace Smart creates a Victorian stage, complete with shell footlights that frame the action, and this facilitates a highly stylised storytelling technique with an ensemble of performers using masks and movement to portray the events in an overtly theatrical fashion. 

Any dramatisation of these beloved detective stories is going to rely on the central performances of Holmes and Watson, and this production, with casting by Stuart Burt, delivers a superbly complementary duo. Joshua James as Sherlock Holmes captures the eccentricity of the character, and allows the audience to empathise with his emotional limitations, whilst still charging ahead with a single-minded focus and the brilliant powers of deduction he is renowned for. 

Jyuddah Jaymes as Doctor John Watson gives an earnest performance, providing the perfect counterpoint to Holmes and infusing the character with the humanity that keeps the pair in balance. Completing the central characters with equal panache is Nadi Kemp-Sayfi as Mary, who is radiant and impeccably timed in her deft portrayal of the heroine.  

The drama comes to a thrilling climax with some of the best fight sequences I’ve seen, by Fight Director Enric Ortuño. Staged high in the air on the perimeter surrounding the auditorium, this fully utilises the outdoor venue and adds to the suspense as the mystery reaches its conclusion. It’s these moments that truly enhance the experience of an open-air theatre. Another highlight is the astounding fire-breathing by Benjamin Harrold, who also commandingly plays a dashing Captain Morstan. 

This is a limited run, so take the opportunity as summer begins to enjoy seeing Sherlock Holmes brought to life in an idyllic setting that is quite apropos. This fabulous performance keeps the mystery unravelling with excitement and a fresh perspective on the detective of Baker Street. 

Where I Sat

I sat in Stalls G16 at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for this performance. The outdoor seat was surprisingly comfortable, but take a hanky to dry your seat if there’s been rain. Ample legroom. The view from this front central section is excellent, but with the amphitheatre style seating, I would suggest most seats offer a good, unobstructed view. 

Have You Seen Sherlock Holmes?

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Reviewed by Patrick Jeremy for SeatPlan, May 2026.