About the Play: “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B”

It’s no mystery that Sherlock Holmes is one of the most enduring fictional characters of all time. The hyper-observant, quick-witted detective has captivated audiences since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first introduced him in A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Over the past century, Holmes has been reimagined countless times, from classic period adaptations to modern reboots—yet the heart of his appeal remains the same: a razor-sharp intellect, an insatiable need for challenge, and a partnership that has defined the detective genre. 

But what happens when you drop Holmes into today’s world—one filled with smartphones, search engines, and digital databases that can seemingly outpace even the sharpest mind? Spoiler alert: all the gadgets in the world still can’t outthink a truly exceptional detective. 

In Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, acclaimed playwright Kate Hamill gives Sherlock and Watson a bold, feminist twist—reimagining them as women navigating a post-pandemic world. Society is opening back up, but the uncertainty of how to move forward lingers. The play breathes fresh life into the classic characters while honoring the core of what has always made them compelling: a dynamic partnership, a relentless pursuit of the truth, and the thrill of the chase. 

Holmes, restless and intellectually starved, finds herself holed up in her disorganized London flat, desperate for a mystery worthy of her talents. Enter Watson—newly divorced, seeking a fresh start, and unwittingly becoming Holmes’ next subject of observation. Within minutes, Holmes dissects Watson’s life with unnerving precision. But Watson, unimpressed, dismisses it as nothing more than an elaborate internet deep dive. That is, until Holmes reveals an almost comical ignorance of Google. 

Watson is intrigued, albeit begrudgingly, and soon finds herself pulled into a whirlwind of cases when Scotland Yard arrives at their doorstep with a plea for help from London’s top deductive consultant. As Holmes and Watson chase clues and unravel mysteries, a chilling realization emerges: the cases aren’t random. A single mastermind is pulling the strings, and Holmes—unaccustomed to being outmatched—may have finally met her equal. 

At its core, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B remains deeply rooted in the legacy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories. Though the setting, gender, and circumstances have shifted, the spirit of Holmes and Watson’s partnership remains intact. 

Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, a character inspired by real-life physician Dr. Joseph Bell, revolutionized detective fiction with his methodical approach to problem-solving. The concept of deductive reasoning—so central to Holmes’s brilliance—became a template for the modern detective archetype. The original Holmes, despite his eccentricities, was never merely a machine of logic; he was an addict, a misanthrope, and, above all, a deeply complex individual. His relationship with Dr. John Watson, his ever-loyal companion and chronicler, gave the stories their heart. 

Hamill’s version of Holmes retains this essence, capturing the detective’s singular focus, social detachment, and thirst for challenge. The Watson of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, like her Victorian predecessor, is intelligent, skeptical, and serves as the audience’s lens into Holmes’ eccentric world. The play acknowledges the tradition of Sherlock Holmes adaptations while giving it a distinctly 21st-century voice. 

There’s something uniquely timely about setting Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B in a world still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Holmes’ restless energy, Watson’s search for a new purpose, and the broader theme of adapting to an uncertain future all resonate in ways that feel deeply personal. The play captures the disorientation of emerging from isolation, the awkwardness of relearning social cues, and the challenge of rebuilding relationships after a period of upheaval. 

At the same time, the play is a celebration of resilience, curiosity, and the enduring power of human connection. Holmes and Watson—two wildly different individuals—find themselves thrust into an unlikely partnership, navigating a landscape that is simultaneously familiar and foreign. Their journey reminds us that even in a world full of technological advancements, artificial intelligence, and instant information, there is still no substitute for human intuition, wit, and heart. 

Sherlock Holmes has survived more than a century of reinvention because, at his core, he represents something timeless: the relentless pursuit of truth. Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B honors that tradition while boldly propelling it into the present, proving that the game is never truly over—it’s just evolving. 

With Kate Hamill at the helm, this production is more than just a reimagining; it’s a reinvigoration. It invites longtime Sherlockians and newcomers alike to experience Holmes and Watson as they’ve never seen them before—hilarious, brilliant, deeply flawed, and undeniably human. 

So, grab your magnifying glass, dust off your detective instincts, and prepare for a mystery filled with laughter, intrigue, and a thrilling new chapter in the legacy of Sherlock Holmes. The game is afoot—again.