Everybody loves to be told a good story whether it is in the form of cinema, theatre or a page turning novel. But with all of today’s instant pleasures the skill of live storytelling has all but been lost. The storyteller that can grip us with tales of suspense and intrigue through their use of vocabulary and performance skills is rarely seen or heard.
Andrew Meller (Seance, Talbot House and An Evening with the humour of Bob Newhart & Tom Lehrer) stands out in this world of instant visual gratification as a raconteur par excellence. When Andrew invites you into the study of 221B Baker Street for the retelling of some of Sherlock Holmes’ most celebrated cases, you are in for a treat. Sherlockian characters seem to spring from every part of the room as you become transfixed by the tales that, though more than a century old, seem fresh, alive and vigorous.
In a previous life Andrew was a headmaster in a small provincial town, today he tours the country’s theatres and art centres, educating us all in the pleasures available through the simple skills of a master bard.
An Audience with Sherlock Holmes (selected tales from a consulting detective’s notebook) can be enjoyed at Theatr Hafren, Newtown, Powys on Thursday 15 March. Box Office 01686 614555
