See it if you do not mind mash ups of classical stories - good show to take children to for something a bit different at Xmas
Don't see it if you are a Sherlock purist and are after a very strong narrative
See it if Fun mash up, making Sherlock into Ebenezer. A bit slow but picks up in the second half.
Don't see it if Don't like Dickens and Conan Doyle1
See it if You don't care much about Sherlock Holmes and are happy with thoughtless shlock.
Don't see it if You've read the books and are knowledgeable about the original characterisation; you don't want another clicheed, mainstream interpretation.
See it if If you love Victoriania you will enjoy this Sherlock version of the Christmas classic which jaunts up a (tired) classic in a fun way.
Don't see it if If you pnly want to see Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock
See it if It's a mash up of Sherlock and the story of Scrooge. Basically Scrooge gets murdered and Sherlock has to find out why. Acting and singing.
Don't see it if You don't like detective plays
See it if You like the idea of a cross over between two great writers!
Don't see it if You don’t care about literature characters
See it if you are a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle & Charles Dickens. Two for the price of one. Great stage settings, acting & costumes.
Don't see it if you are expecting everyone to burst into songs and dance. I found it slow and confusing. I think it could have been shorter.
See it if If you like Conan Doyle and Dickens. Great combination of mystery with a well known Christmas story
Don't see it if You don't like alternative versions
“This kind of entertainment, part tribute, part spoof, is best enjoyed with a belly full of mince pies and mulled wine, a condition of warmed cockles which helps you overlook some of the play’s shortcomings.”
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“Some parts are slow, some characters are confusing, and the final payoff doesn’t really make much sense. But as a piece of fan fiction goes, it’s a fun frolic on a wild goose chase that offers up a few laughs and a Christmassy feeling on a cold winter’s night.”
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"Mark Shanahan's script stays just the right side of smarmy and sentimental, the performances strike the right note...that we're soon lulled into a charitable mood and forgive the conceit."
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"The plotting steers narrowly away from convolution and solves the mystery while sprinting through Christmases past, present and future to bring about an ending of carol singing and goodwill for one and all."
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"Though the production is well-designed, it feels predictable...It's fun and festive for sure, but clings to common tropes with an unwieldy stubborness."
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"A hopeful low-budget stab at a seasonal extravaganza with familiar characters and enough novelty value to allow you to accept that it’s not very good and just enjoy the madness for a couple of hours."
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