By Martina Treviño/nw news editor
Holmes and Watson flew across the pond to visit the colonies last week. Well, Stewart Quinton Holmes and Dr. John Barrett Watson, that is, two British actors who portray the literary characters made famous by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Although they do not reside at Sherlock Holmes’ Museum, 221b Baker Street in London, one of them is usually present to give guided tours and photo opportunities to museum patrons. It was on one of these occasions that they met Cheryl Roberts, assistant professor of English on NW Campus.
Through Roberts, the English department and student activities arranged to bring the fictional characters to entertain a NW Campus audience.
Upon being introduced, Holmes asked the audience of about 120 how many panels were on the room’s ceiling, quickly answering 72, to demonstrate his “extraordinary powers of observation.”
The pair then began to relate Doyle’s stories and the history of the fictional characters.
“The Speckled Band” was the main story emphasized. But the duo also delved into the “The Final Problem in which Doyle kills off Holmes, only to resurrect him in his novel The Hound of the Baskervilles.
“That makes me and Jesus the only two to ever be resurrected,” he said.
The pair also critiqued various actors who have portrayed “them” on film, saying they were particularly fond of Peter Cushing.
After working together for years, the pair present in a conversational manner, exchanging quips so naturally Vesta Wheatley, director of student services, said she could not tell when they were in character or when they were speaking for themselves.
After the presentation, they answered questions as Holmes and Watson. An avid Holmes fan, student Bryce Pearcy said he was pleased to make inquires of the pair.
“This was amazing,” he said. “I’ve read all of the stories they talked about … to see someone who embodies them is just incredible.”
Another student, Candice Ledingham-Ramos was delighted to have a photograph taken with the pair to share with her father.
“I really enjoyed the presentation,” she said. “My father and I went to the museum in 2004, but they were not there when we were.”
Roberts plans another student trip abroad this summer. For more information, click on the London Trip 2007 link on her faculty Web page at www.tccd.edu.
