This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Not sure where to start? Discover all our scripts

Talk to one of our experts here

Thank you for purchasing with Stagescripts

Shopping basket 0

Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Products

Need help? Contact our team here

Pair with
Subtotal Free
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes are calculated at checkout
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • Shop Pay
  • Union Pay
  • Visa

Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure At Arthur Sullivans

Tim Heath

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Cast size: 5

Duration: 120 mins approx

Tim Heath | Play with Music | Thriller/Mystery | Full-length | 3m, 2f

Short synopsis

Holmes and Watson meet a friend of the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan outside the Opera House, Covent Garden, and are invited to recount some of their adventures on stage at a charity gala. The two stories that they choose to perform are Conan Doyle’s 'A Scandal in Bohemia' and 'Charles Augustus Milverton'. But why those stories, and why were they asked to perform in the first place? "I know an optical illusion when I see one," quips the great detective. But does he?

First produced at the Komedia Theatre, Brighton and on tour, 'The Adventure at Sir Arthur Sullivan’s' takes its place in the canon of Sherlockian entertainment with Victorian aplomb, Wildean wit and great style.

1891: Holmes and Watson are invited to perform at a charity gala at the home of the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan. Holmes chooses two of Watson’s hitherto unpublished cases, 'A Scandal in Bohemia' and 'Charles Augustus Milverton', which our heroes perform with two other guests as staged ‘readings’. (The adaptation of Conan Doyle’s two original stories is faithful. How much these ‘readings’ are presented ‘script-in-hand’ is at the discretion of the director.)

But what is the real reason for our heroes being invited to perform? And why does Holmes choose those two cases? "I know an optical illusion when I see one," quips the great detective. But does he?

This fast-moving drama plays out in simple settings suggesting Covent Garden at night, 221b Baker Street, on board a train to Weybridge and in the drawing-room at Sir Arthur’s. The action contains songs, burglaries, chases, one shooting, blackmail, revenge and some extraordinary acting and piano-playing by Dr Watson.

(3m, 2f)

  • Sherlock Holmes, 37
  • Dr John Watson, 40s
  • Violet Jones, 30s, a socially ambitious amateur singer and friend of Sir Arthur. Needs to be a competent mezzo-soprano or soprano. (Plays the adventuress Irene Adler in the first story and the Veiled Lady in the second).
  • Edward Jones, 30s-40s, a suburban solicitor. (Plays the bombastic King of Bohemia in the first story, the blackmailer Milverton and Inspector Lestrade in the second).
  • Mrs Hudson, 50s-60s, Holmes’ landlady and housekeeper, a very small role. (Can be played as an offstage voice by the actress playing Violet Jones or appear onstage according to staging/set design).

"Laughs, excitement and intrigue keep bubbling merrily until the end...a fast-moving, feel-good piece of theatre." - What’s On

Free

Applying for and paying royalties

To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.

To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.

[{"variant_id":"55538855412098" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55538855477634" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55538855510402" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55538855575938" , "metafield_value":""}]

Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure At Arthur Sullivans

Free
More information

If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Frequently asked questions

Can we try before we buy?

Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (typically less than half the cost of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make just enough copies to support rehearsals and performances.

All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Through this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of perusal material  which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as PDF files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as MP3 files and (where available) an MP4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.

Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.

Do we need a Licence To Perform?

The simple answer is, yes.

Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights.

Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?

When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.

Need help?

Contact us

If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Established for over 25 years

Unearthing future talent


Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.

We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.