Birmingham Rep has announced full casting for its World Premiere production of Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The new play-with-music boasts songs by award-winning musicals creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar), and is co-written by Humphrey Ker and David Reed.
Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas is running at Birmingham Rep from 14 November 2025 to 11 January 2026.
Joining the already announced Humphrey Ker and David Reed as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, John Kearns (Never Mind the Buzzocks, Taskmaster, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown), as Lestrade and Margaret Cabourn-Smith (Cheaters, Motherland, Miranda, Daddy Issues on BBC) as Mrs Hudson are: Christian Andrews (Operation Mincemeat, Fanny & Stella) as Fafner, Susan Harrison (BAFTA award-winning Class Dismissed) as Ernie, Cameron Johnson (Here We Are – NT, Guys and Dolls – Bridge Theatre, Nativity – The Rep) as Arthur Stone, Amanda Lindgren (Six, Aladdin) in the Chorus, Mia Overfield (David Walliams’ Demon Dentist – Old Rep) in the Chorus, Andrew Pugsley (Showstopper: The Improvised Musical) as Wotan, Chomba S Taulo (The Book of Mormon – West End) in the Chorus, Deborah Tracey (Mrs Phelps – RSC’s Matilda the Musical – West End, Standing at the Sky’s Edge – Sheffield) as Queen Victoria and Helena Wilson (The Estate – NT and The Hills of California – West End and Broadway), as Athena Faversham.
The show is billed as a laugh-out-loud festive murder mystery for all the family, join us at 221b Baker Street this Christmas for mischief, mayhem and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!
Humphrey Ker said: ‘As the evenings grow longer and the days get colder, I’m extraordinarily excited to share this daft, Christmassy caper, toe-tapping new songs and tremendous cast with the fine people of Birmingham.’
David Reed added ‘We’ve assembled a dream cast of hilarious hoofers to bring this show to life. It’s been a long old road to get to this point. The fact we are now scant days away from the start of rehearsals and what was once only in our heads will soon be let loose into the world is frankly too exciting for words. Time to dust off the bowler hat, do one last futile sit-up and get to work.’
Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas is directed by Phillip Breen (Anna Karenina, Chichester Festival Theatre) with Becky Hope-Palmer (Letters to Our Future Government, Traverse Theatre).
The full creative team is Mark Bailey (Designer),  Anna Watson (Lighting Designer), John Rigby (Musical Supervision), Christopher Mundy (Musical Direction), Georgina Lamb (Movement), Renny Krupinksi (Fights), Chris Fisher and Will Houston (Illusions), and Helena Palmer (Casting).
In the show, it’s Christmas in Victorian London, but in the West End – where dreams come true and nothing bad ever happens – a flurry of performers are suddenly dying mid-scene. Scotland Yard rules out foul play… until the world’s greatest consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, discovers an intriguing link to The Twelve Days of Christmas. The game is afoot!
Racing against the clock to save French Hens, find Gold Rings and rescue Mother Goose, Sherlock plunges himself into mortal danger. Will this really be the last stand for our hero or will his trusty sidekick Dr Watson and rival hotshot detective Athena Faversham ensure he lives to consume another Christmas Pudding…?
The show was originated and developed by Donald Rice and Eva Rice for Tim Rice’s company Heartaches Limited.
Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas is playing at Birmingham Rep from 14 November 2025 to 11 January 2026.
More about Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas tickets
Alexandra Palace Theatre, London
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