Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas | Birmingham Rep

Each festive season, theatres up and down the country are filled with the same dependable pantomimes and classic Christmas tales. However, the Birmingham Rep this year is steering away from tradition by mounting Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas.

This festive musical brings one of the world’s most distinctive detectives to London’s glittering West End, where a series of murders are unfolding. Each death is eerily linked to the verses of the famous Twelve Days of Christmas carol. Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson are on the case, but can they stop the murderer before the countdown to Christmas runs out?

Admittedly, a musical and Sherlock Holmes are perhaps not two things you’d naturally pair together. However, when the original score is crafted by none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, then the concept becomes immediately more intriguing. While the songs themselves aren’t especially memorable, Christmas Lights being the only one that truly lingers, they don’t contribute much to the narrative. With eight songs, the show strikes a good balance between feeling oversaturated and feeling just right, though the pacing of their placement does feel a little uneven throughout.

The piece, written by Humphrey Ker and David Reed, is filled with playful anecdotes that verge on the mischievous, almost evoking the spirit of a Showstopper-Mischief theatre style production. It takes a little while to find its footing, but once it does, the comedy writing hits its stride with clever wordplay and plenty of puns. Act II, however, feels like a noticeable departure, leaning more into slapstick, an approach that doesn’t land quite as well. As a result, the show’s ending feels somewhat flat, lacking the momentum and build-up it needs to make a satisfying impact on solving the murder.

Ker and Reed also take on the roles of Holmes and Watson respectively, allowing their writing to translate onto the stage in an especially satisfying way. By performing the lead characters they’ve crafted, lines land with the precise intention behind them, resulting in sharp, confident characterisation. Both actors also seize opportunities to involve the audience and seem completely unfazed by the delightful chaos unfolding around them.

The supporting cast do an excellent job of balancing the play’s narrative, the musical elements, and a generous sprinkling of stereotypical pantomime tropes. Cameron Johnson, in particular, shines as Dame Arthur Stone, performing in the delightfully absurd Adam Woyatt Theatre, a name that alone hints at the show’s playful irreverence. Johnson’s performance is the standout, bringing over-the-top flair, comic timing, and sheer theatricality that consistently draws laughter and keeps the energy high in their scenes. 

Helen Wilson also shines as Holmes’ rival detective, Athena Faversham. Wilson commands the stage, and her performance gives Faversham a sense of authority and cunning, making her a believable and formidable opponent to Holmes. John Kearns shines as Inspector Lestrade, perfectly capturing a character who would much rather avoid the hard work of detective work and is more than happy to let Holmes take the lead. He plays Lestrade with a reluctant duty, highlighting the character’s laziness and exasperation while still keeping him endearing, adding a lighthearted counterpoint to Holmes’ relentless drive.

Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas is a clever concept that succeeds in many moments, blending festive cheer with mystery and wit. However, uneven pacing and a largely forgettable score prevent the show from reaching its full potential. While enjoyable, it doesn’t quite deliver “all the lords a-leaping,” leaving the overall impact entertaining but slightly underwhelming.

Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas plays at the Birmingham Rep until 18th January 2026.

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★★★☆☆ (3*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Pete Le May