First casting for Sherlock Holmes and 12 Days of Christmas announced
The Birmingham Rep has announced key casting news for the much-anticipated World Premiere of Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas, a new play with songs.
The show will be premiered at The Rep from Friday 14 November 2025 to Sunday 11 January 2026.
Humphrey Ker (pictured) and David Reed, the co-writers of the new comedy whodunnit that begins performances at Birmingham Rep in November 2025, will be playing Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson respectively.
They are joined by award-winning comedian and actor John Kearns as Inspector Lestrade and comedy actress and podcaster Margaret Cabourn-Smith.
Further casting to be announced soon
Humphrey Ker said: “As diehard Sherlock Holmes fans, Dave and I are absolutely delighted to have tricked the Birmingham Rep into allowing us to write and star in a wildly silly Holmes and Watson adventure.
“And to do it with such beloved friends and collaborators in Margaret, John, Tim, Andrew and directing superstar Phil Breen is the stuff of dreams.
“Can't wait to don the deerstalker and BECOME Sherlock Holmes.”
David Reed added. “Humphrey and I have been obsessed with the characters of Holmes and Watson ever since we met on a stage in Edinburgh some 20 years ago.
“We pastiched them in our first radio series The Brothers Faversham and crowbarred them into our turns on BBC Two improvised sketch show Fast & Loose.
“To now get to play them in earnest is quite honestly a dream come true. And to be joined by the cosmic comedic talents of Margaret Cabourn-Smith and John Kearns as Mrs Hudson and Lestrade is preposterous good fortune.
“I can’t quite believe it’s real, but barring being framed for a series of genuine murders and having to become fugitives from the law, it appears to be actually happening. I’m pinching myself daily. Incredibly exciting.”
Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas features original songs by the legendary musical theatre duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas will be directed by Phillip Breen with Becky Hope-Palmer.
Phillip Breen is currently directing Anna Karenina at Chichester Festival Theatre.
His previous credits include Crime and Punishment in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong Arts Festival and The Comedy of Errors for the RSC.
Further members of the creative team announced today are Mark Bailey (Designer), Anna Watson (Lighting Designer), Georgina Lamb (Movement), Renny Krupinksi (Fights) and Helena Palmer (Casting).
Humphrey Ker is an Emmy and Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning writer, actor and football club director.
He is known for his roles on NBC's American Auto, FX's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm and BBC1's Daddy Issues, alongside appearances on Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Welcome To Wrexham.
David Reed is a playwright, actor and comedian. His television roles include Endeavour, Beyond Paradise, Father Brown, Ghosts, Citadel and Daddy Issues.
For radio he has written comedy plays Guy Fawkes, Revolution, Hereward the Wake, Macbeth Rebothered, The Odyssey, Curse of The Beagle, Le Carré On Spying, Don Quixote, Hadrian’s Beard, Richard III Rebothered and Severus (Co-written with Paterson Joseph).
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