I have grown up with Sherlock Holmes. He’s been in the bookcase, he’s been on the radio, he’s been on the stereo and even more recently, he’s been on my television screen. Yesterday marked the first time I have seen him on stage.

David Arquette plays a very peculiar detective; yes he is still the arrogant rogue we all know and love, but I had imagined him a touch more suave than the intoxicated yet sharp buffoon played by the actor. I have to say, the change was interesting and by the end of Act 1 Arquette’s Sherlock had very much grown on me.

In the throws of a North American tour, Starvox Entertainment brings this production to Toronto for a limited 10-day run at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. One of the challenges of a tour is that set and props are generally kept to a minimum. Luckily in this case, the actors were energetic enough to fill the stage with their comic chaos.

There is clearly a talented team on stage here, with a lot of laughs coming not only from Arquette, but also from the wildly entertaining Kyle Gatehouse and various other members of the ensemble. A text peppered with whimsy, accompanied by complimentary direction and an energetic cast is always a joy to experience.

Sherlock is always pretty fast paced, thus reflecting the speed of the prodigal detective’s brain, however there were times when I thought the action could have used a few reflective seconds just to reiterate plot lines. I left the theatre highly entertained, but not 100% sure what had happened to tie up all the narrative threads. I would like to think, as a very regularly theatre goer, that I am pretty switched on, so I dread to think how others managed to keep up.

Whilst I can only imagine the lion’s share of tickets to this production have already been sold on brand and star casting alone, I would certainly recommend all Torontonians without a booked seat to go and grab what is left. I mean, we can all use a laugh, right? Plus if you figure out exactly what happened in the end, let me know!

Sherlock Holmes in Toronto runs until Sunday the 8th November at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. For further tour details visit http://sherlockholmesonstage.com/

The post Review of Sherlock Holmes in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

There are a bunch of upcoming events at Toronto Public Libraries that I wanted to share with our readers. From talks, to galleries, to interactive experiences, the Toronto Public Libraries have a diverse and creative selection of happenings in our city.

Wordplay 2015 – Nov 7th, 2015

Evan Munday recently sent me an invite to a very interesting event that celebrates writerly games and attempts to marry literature with digital gaming.

Talks and interactive games will display how creatives are using words in gaming in a whole new way. Through speeches and demos, guests will experiences some of these creations.

For info on all the talks and showcases, visit the wordplay website.

Hush Hush Halloween – Oct 31st, 2015

The Toronto Public Library Foundation’s young patrons group, New Collection, will host their annual Hush Hush fundraiser this halloween at the recently renovated Bloor/Gladstone library branch in Toronto on October 31st, 2015.

Since its first event in 2013, the Hush Hush fundraisers have raised over $125,000 for the TPLF.

Guests will be excited to have access to a “scar bar”, with expert makeup application; crystal ball, tarot card and palm readers; yummy food from Fidel Gastro’s Matt Basile; an oyster bar from world record shucker Patrick McMurray; Halloween specialty cocktails like Vampire’s Kiss, Brain Hemorrhage and Smoking Skulls; and lots of exciting prizes for best and most terrifying costumes.

More Info

Speaker Events

-David Arquette- Oct 30th, 2015

In town for his role as Mirvish Productions’ Sherlock Holmes, actor David Arquette will chat with Toronto Star film critic and movie writer Linda Barnard. This version of Sherlock Holmes is an adaptation by Greg Kramer inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tales

The interview with Arquette will be followed by a Q&A with show director Andrew Shaver and cast members Renee Olstead (Lady St John) and x (Moriarty).

After the show, visitors are invited to take a tour of the Library’s collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s writings.

The event is free and tickets will be available Oct 26th, 2015.

More Info

-Mohammed Fahmy- Nov 2nd, 2015

Egyptian/Canadian journalist Mohammed Fahmy will chat with Toronto Star’s National Security reporter Michelle Shephard in front of guests of the event.

Fahmy was arrested in 2013 and put into an Egyptian maximum security prison for 400 days alongside ISIS terrorists and jihadists for ‘broadcasting false news’ and operating as journalists without authorisation.

In Sept, 2015, Fahmy was released on a pardon by Egypt’s president al-sisi.

More Info

John J. Audubon’s Birds of America – Sept 26 – Nov 29, 2015

The TD Gallery at the Toronto Reference Library will have John J. Audubon’s Birds of America which features life-size paintings of North American birds that were created in 1820 by the American naturalist.

One of only five copies in Canada, the selection of images are grouped by habitat and include quotes from Audubon’s field notes.

Guided tours and free talks are also available during the running of the show.

More Info

Open Data Hackathon – No 14th & Nov 15th, 2015

Help imagine and create new concepts for prototypes that will enhance Toronto Public Library services. If you are a developers, designer, hacker, or just an open data enthusiast, come down and join mentors to find new ways to use library and City of Toronto open data.

More Info

The post Unique Events at Toronto Public Libraries appeared first on Toronto Guardian.