Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson: Apt 2b

by Kate Hamill

An irreverent, darkly comic, modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth and sidekick, this fast-paced romp re-examines the world’s most famous detective story with a bold new feminist lens. In this highly theatrical, small-cast escapade, oddball female roommates Sherlock (yes, it’s also a girl’s name—wait, is it a girl’s name? Is it even a name?) Holmes & Joan Watson join forces to emerge from pandemic fog as a deeply codependent, quasi-dysfunctional Odd Couple adventure duo—solving mysteries and kicking butts, until they come face to face with a villain who seems to have all of the answers.

Genres: Plays

177 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Ankita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weirdly fun! I was scared it would be too strange but it was natural and the characters were cute.

[Surly Gliffs · Rating 4 out of 5]

My spouse picked up this comic, genderbent take on Sherlock Holmes from the Guthrie (which apparently will be doing a reading soon). The subtitle apologizes, "cheerfully desecrating the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," as if such desecration were possible. I'm not a hardcore Sherlock fan but am well familiar with the source material and its derivatives, and Apartment 2B falls firmly on the affectionate side. I loved this story enough that I almost want to discourage readers and encourage producers: it would be much more fun to see performed. Otherwise look for the typical Sherlock tropes to be honored, with much queer innuendo and slapstick piled on. Well recommended.

[Elizabeth Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

—published 2023. A modern take on the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Ms. “Shirley” Holmes is a self-described “deductive consultant” in 2021 London. Ms. Watson is an American doctor recovering from the stress and trauma of treating Covid patients during the pandemic. They make a sort of Odd Couple of clashing styles of deportment, but get caught up in some tangled mysteries and manage to solve them eventually. The play is madcap and funny with a fair amount of physical humor. It would be a delight to see on the stage.

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

It lost a star because I was too sleepy while reading it and kept napping, so it didnt hook me as it might have. BUT it was so fun! I loved the revamp of having them both be women, and I loved the time swap to modern day but still keeping the heart of it in there.

Would love to see it done live, or to play either character. What fun!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome play. Juicy women's roles. Bravo. More please.

[Natalie Penna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Feels like it was written on Reddit

[Alyvia Rigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

very silly goofy fun, should’ve made out at the end

[Imagination Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Hamill is superb, and so enjoyable and funny to read as well! I mean it's Sherlock but also me at the same time, what's not to love?