Daily Info sat down with Dr Helen Eastman, Creation Theatre's CEO & Artistic Director, to chat about their next production Sherlock in Summertown and to see what they have in store for audiences.
Daily Info: What’s Sherlock in Summertown all about?
Helen Eastman: Sherlock in Summertown is an interactive, immersive theatre experience where audiences step into the world of Sherlock Holmes. A crime has been committed, and Dr. Watson needs the audience’s help to solve it. Participants will follow a trail of clues through Summertown, encountering some of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters along the way. It’s a thrilling blend of mystery, adventure, and live performance, all set against the backdrop of Oxford’s rich crime fiction history.
DI: What can audiences expect from this production?
HE: Audiences can expect to be fully involved in the investigation! This isn’t a passive theatre experience—you’ll be out on the streets of Summertown, collecting evidence, solving puzzles, and interacting with characters to crack the case. It’s a unique opportunity to see the city in a new light while immersing yourself in a gripping Sherlock Holmes mystery.
DI: How are you approaching adapting such an iconic character?
HE: Sherlock Holmes is one of the most enduring and beloved literary figures, so we’re staying true to the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories while bringing a fresh, interactive twist. By placing the audience at the heart of the investigation, we allow them to experience Sherlock’s world firsthand. While Holmes remains the master detective, this production invites participants to think like him—to observe, deduce, and piece together the truth.
DI: Which stories are you drawing from?
HE: Ooo! I don’t want to give too much away. The production is inspired by the classic Sherlock Holmes novels and short stories, incorporating familiar elements like cryptic clues, unexpected twists, and a mysterious crime scene. Without giving too much away, audiences can expect nods to some of Holmes’ most famous cases while experiencing a brand-new mystery crafted specifically for this show.
DI: How will the show work? It looks like audiences will be getting properly involved in solving the mystery.
HE: Absolutely! Sherlock in Summertown is a promenade production, meaning the audience will move between different locations in Summertown, following a trail of clues. Each group—with a bit of help from Dr. Watson—will gather evidence, meet key characters, and piece together the mystery in real-time. Unlike a traditional theatre experience, this show is fully interactive: your decisions, deductions, and teamwork will help solve the case. It’s a chance to step into the world of Sherlock Holmes and become part of the story.
DI: What else does Creation have planned for this year?
HE: Well, we have a very special production in June to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, with an incredible team of creatives and co-producers. This will be followed by our summer Shakespeare season. We’re also planning a digital project to mark Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary.
Over the next few months, we’ll continue our regular poetry nights at the URC and host a special event for Shakespeare’s birthday on 23rd April. The celebration will include performances of Shakespeare’s poems and songs, excerpts from his plays, and perhaps even a few party games—fitting for the man who contributed so many words and phrases to the English language.
There will be fizz and cake, a Shakespeare-themed tombola, and maybe even a round of sonnet bingo!
DI: Can you sum the production up in three words?
HE: Ooo. ‘Mystery. Adventure. Deduction’. Or ‘Elementary, my dear….’
Sherlock in Summertown runs in Summertown on the 18th, 24th, 25th & 27th May and tickets can be found on their website.