Sherlock Holmes (play)

The play Sherlock Holmes, originally titled Sherlock Holmes: Being a Detective Story, is a theatrical adaptation by Arthur Conan Doyle and William Gillette of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. Gillette, an American actor and playwright, initially requested Doyle's permission to adapt the stories for the stage. Doyle, after some reservations, granted the rights.

The play premiered in London in 1899 with Gillette in the title role. It was a significant success, running for many years and solidifying the public image of Sherlock Holmes. Gillette's portrayal of Holmes, particularly his physical appearance (including the deerstalker hat, which was never mentioned in the original stories but became strongly associated with the character through illustrations), significantly shaped the popular conception of the detective.

The plot of the play borrows elements from several Sherlock Holmes stories, primarily "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Final Problem," and introduces new characters and storylines. Professor Moriarty serves as the primary antagonist. The play also features a romantic subplot involving Holmes and Alice Faulkner, a young woman whom Holmes endeavors to protect from Moriarty's machinations.

Gillette's Sherlock Holmes significantly contributed to the character's enduring popularity and remains an important adaptation within the Sherlock Holmes canon. Although Doyle initially had concerns about Gillette's liberties with the character, the play's success ultimately led Doyle to acknowledge its significant impact. The play has been revived numerous times and continues to be performed.