Fresh take on Holmes anything but elementary

The Exchange District

COLONY

St. Boniface

The game is certainly afoot for one local theatre troupe.

Hood & Dagger Productions is currently gearing up for its third show of the season. Miss Holmes, a take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective tales, runs May 7 to 10 at the Martial-Caron Theatre at Université de Saint-Boniface.

The production is the company’s largest to date, with 16 locals in the cast and many more working behind the scenes. In this version of the Holmes story, written by Christopher M. Walsh, Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson investigate a corrupt police inspector whose wives keep ending up dead.

Thandi Vera, who plays Watson, grew up in Zimbabwe watching various Sherlock Holmes adaptations with her family, a tradition she continues now that she calls the Exchange District home.

“I’m especially drawn to the curiosity of it all — that feeling of going on a crime-solving journey alongside the characters — and the attention to detail that makes every clue matter,” Vera said, adding she has enjoyed taking on the role of Watson. “I love her. She’s sharp, grounded, and quietly holds a lot of the story together.”

Kevin Bergen, a St. Boniface resident who is relatively new to the theatre world, plays Insp. Lestrade.

“My theatre experience is very limited. Aside from taking some improv classes over the last few years, the last time I was on stage in a play was in middle school,” Bergen said. “After reading the script, one thing that really stood out for me was the relationship between Sherlock and Watson. It’s really cool to see their bond strengthen as they unravel the mystery before them and tackle the challenges it brings.”

“Audiences can expect a smart, fast-paced mystery that will have them constantly guessing and on the edge of their seats,” said stage manager Mikayla West, a downtown resident and recent graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s theatre and film program. “I’ve always been a big fan of mysteries and thrillers, so I was initially drawn in by how captivating and well-written the mystery is. I was also drawn in by how much heart the play has, and the interesting perspective and commentary it provides on what it was like to be a woman during that time.”

“What I really love about this show is the heart,” Vera added. “There are these beautiful, human connections happening live on stage, and you get to watch them unfold in real time. It’s not just about solving a case — it’s about relationships, tension, and those little moments that feel very real. Also, there’s humour, there’s a bit of thrill — we keep you on your toes. You’re not just watching, you’re in it with us.”

As with prior productions, proceeds from this Hood & Dagger show will be donated to a local charity. This time around, it will be the North End Women’s Centre.

“In the last two years, we’ve given $19,000 to local charities,” said Crystal Hood, executive director and co-founder of the company with her husband, Brian.

Tickets for Hood & Dagger’s Miss Holmes had already sold out t press time. Tickets for next season — which features Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web in November, Victorian gothic thriller A Spirited Manor in February 2027 and Habit of Murder, a Columbo-style Maritime tale, in May 2027 — are on sale now and already more than 20 per cent accounted for.

“Our growth has been beyond our wildest dreams, and we are so grateful for the community’s support,” Hood said.

Visit hoodanddagger.ca for more information.