The Game's Afoot; Or Holmes for the Holidays

by Ken Ludwig

It is December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it's up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger

Genres: Plays, Mystery, Theatre, Comedy, Drama

108 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2012

About the author

KEN LUDWIG is an internationally-acclaimed playwright whose work has been performed in more than 30 countries in over 20 languages. He has had 6 shows on Broadway and 6 in the West End. He has won two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Edgar Award, the SETC Distinguished Career Award, the Edwin Forrest Award for Services to the Theatre and he is a McCarter/Sallie B. Goodman Fellow. His plays have been commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Bristol Old Vic. His first play on Broadway, Lend Me A Tenor, won three Tony Awards and the New York Times called it "one of the two great farces by a living writer." His other best-known Broadway and West End shows include Crazy For You (5 years on Broadway, Tony Award Winner for Best Musical), Moon Over Buffalo, Leading Ladies, Twentieth Century, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Game’s Afoot, The Fox on the Fairway, Midsummer/Jersey, The Three Musketeers, Treasure Island and The Beaux’ Stratagem. His plays have starred Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Lynn Redgrave, Mickey Rooney, Hal Holbrook, Dixie Carter, Tony Shalhoub, Anne Heche, Joan Collins, and Kristin Bell. His book, How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare, was published in June 2013 by Random House, and his work has been published by the Yale Review. He has degrees from Harvard, where he studied music with Leonard Bernstein, Haverford College and Cambridge University. For more information, please visit www.kenludwig.com

Reviews

[William Razavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear not all theatre folk walk around spouting lines from Shakespeare at each other but...whatever. The detective work in this piece is fun and the farcical elements give it an added charm that make up for the excessive Shakespeare and occasionally moment of self-importance. The Holmes aspect is important but almost incidental at the same time. The characters are typical rep company types which is one of the theatrical elements that’s a bit grating but the comedy is definitely good.

[Sam Figura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Very Little Theatre is producing this play, so I read it before watching the performance. I just got to say, I really enjoy this play. Great tension, crime, humour, and mystery throughout. It's one of my favorite plays of all time!

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm conflicted. 2.5? Was the fact that all the actors just constantly quote Shakespeare at one another supposed to be farcical, or does Ludwig genuinely find it (and expect it to be) endearing? If it's the former, I'm willing to up it to three stars, even though there's a lot that's sloppy and overly complicated about this. It was fun, and had some funny moments and snappy dialogue (and also some very forced dialogue). I bet it would be a fun play to watch. The stage directions made my eyes twitch, especially when Ludwig does the exact kind of telling the audience how they're supposed to feel that I instruct my intro students to avoid.

[Tony Loyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun murder mystery which is equally exciting and humorous. A crowd pleaser for sure. A good twist on Sherlock Holmes, this play being about actors in a Sherlock Holmes play rather than a play about Sherlock Homes. Lots of good comedic moments mixed in with some serious thrills keep the pace moving quite well in this play if executed successfully. I think the overall whodunit is relatively predictable but the extra twists make up for that. I enjoyed reading this play, I enjoyed seeing this play live, maybe one day I will enjoy acting in this play. Overall, a very good show.

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting for an audition I have coming up. And, wow.

I loved Ludwig's adaption if The Three Musketeers so I'm not sure why I am surprised?? But this was such a fun play! I wish this was the Christmas play being done in my theatre community. It's funny. It's flashy. And it's definitely a fun whodunnit! I would love seeing this on stage (would also love being in it... Daria Chase — coming for that role one day!)

Love love love!!

[Lucie HAND · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw the play and found the ending a bit confusing...so I read the play in the book. Lots of things happen at the end, but all in all, it's a pretty good mystery. The book is the play, so it's not a running dialogue, it's the spoken parts and set instructions. Best for people who enjoy mysteries.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did this a few years ago. Lots of fun, great characters and a great whodunnit. This was the production that the police came on campus in answer to a silent alarm, and found all the weapons decorating the set. The pastor had some 'splainin' to do.

[Juan Zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Characters were not short from amazing. Somehow I really enjoyed this piece. The mother of the main character and psychic were too funny. The story was captivating and the way it progressed was done beautifully. I really enjoyed it quite a bit. Will recommend if I get the chance.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not very fond of all the Shakespeare allusions. It kind of made it drag and the stage directions were a little too controlling, but I love this show. I got to play Daria and she is a hilarious character.

[Kaylee Condos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good mystery:-)

[Dan Blackley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very dumb play that is more about William Gilette, the famous actor who portrayed Holmes, rather than a true Holmes story.

[Melanie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to play Madge! I thought this was twisted and dark while being extremely funny.

[Amy Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our theater is putting on this show and I’m creating the properties list. Such a terrific funny whodunnit. Love the fact it’s based on the real William Gillette and his castle.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun farce to read as well as perform.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passable farce that sends up whodunnits and Broadway pretensions.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I likey. The production I watched was bad but like I think this show can be done really well

[keaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much fun actually

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I'm going to be performing in a community theater version of it in a few months, as the Inspector. I'm really looking forward to it, because it seemed like a very fun part.

The play, overall, seems like it will be a lot of fun. Basically, an actor famous for playing Sherlock Holmes gets to pay detective in real life when someone gets murdered in his home. Hilarity ensues... ^_^

[Tiffany Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly enjoyable, with a little something for everyone: comedy, killers, and Christmas. There are even some fun challenges for the set and crew. The little Scooby Doo mystery was predictable but fun, and the ending is a keeper. The dialogue was crisp enough to make it readable. Ludwig was once again heavy-handed with the Shakespeare quotes, but overall, I think this is a show with a lot of potential. Pacing will be everything, lest it run long and drag. 4 stars, maybe more...

[Lisamarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are funny moments in this newest play by Ken Ludwig. The presence of many quotes from Shakespeare comes off a bit forced at times. Do theatre folks really spout spontaneous quotes from plays when they converse? The mystery was fairly easy to solve, even though the added twist at the end had me surprised.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this is a great deal of fun!!!! While not up to the daffy genius of Lend Me A Tenor or Shakespeare in Hollywood, this is really solid blend of theatricality, silliness, and Holmesian twists and turns. Loved the final moments!!!!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Ken Ludwig romp. I can't wait to see the production!

[Cassie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to be in this show at our local dinner theatre, I just loved working on it! Very funny, honestly does keep you guessing a bit "who-dunit?" and was just all around a good time!

[Robert Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent farce!!

[Andrea Heiden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, light, funny play. Exactly what you expect and want.