Finally, more than 18 months after it last hit the stage, the Shaw Festival is officially resuming indoor shows this Saturday when “Sherlock Holmes and the Raven’s Curse” debuts at the Festival Theatre.
Staff at the Shaw said they were “buzzing with excitement” as preparations were finalized for the Holmes production, directed by mystery play expert Craig Hall.
While the Shaw did present a short indoor concert series “Songs for a Winter's Night” last December, the last official indoor theatre shows were “Holiday Inn” and “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 22, 2019.
The latest “Sherlock” production has been in previews at the Festival Theatre since July 23.
It stars Damien Atkins as Sherlock, Ric Reid as Dr. Watson and Claire Jullien as Mrs. Hudson.
The show boasts an extraordinary set and lighting design, the Shaw said in an announcement. It is scheduled to run until Oct. 10.
Other Shaw productions also are moving indoors.
The Royal George Theatre will stage “Charley's Aunt” starting Aug. 8  and “Flush” beginning Aug. 17. Both are directed by Tim Carroll.
And  “Trouble in Mind,” directed by Philip Akin, begins previews Aug. 8 at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre.
“The Devil's Disciple,” directed by Eda Holmes, continues outdoors on the Nona Macdonald Stage in the Festival Theatre parking lot.
“A Short History of Niagara,” a 30-minute puppet theatre production, is on outdoors until Aug. 15.
Details of upcoming outdoor concerts and activities, plus the October to December run of “Desire Under the Elms,” and “A Christmas Carol” and “Holiday Inn” starting in November, will be announced later.
Other shows staged as part of Outdoors@TheShaw include: “Gatsby’s Jazz, Sonny’s Blues” (July 27 to Oct. 8) on the BMO Stage, “Fairground” (July 28 to Oct. 8) on the Festival Theatre grounds, “Kreutzer Sonata” (Aug. 26 to Oct. 9) on the Humeniuk Foundation Stage, “The Duke and Two Irenes” (July 30 to Oct. 7) on the South Lawn Patio, “Shawground” (Aug. 19 to Oct. 6) on the Festival Theatre grounds and “Coffee Concerts” (Aug. 18 to Sept. 30) on the Humeniuk Foundation stage.
Show and ticket details are available at shawfest.com.