* Professor Moriarty is one of the most famous arch villains in literature. Do you have a favorite villain? Who is it and why?

* If you were going on a mission that might mean certain death, who would you say goodbye to and what would you want them to know?

* What kind of an adventure story would you like to be a part of and why? (Examples: Searching for treasure in the jungle. Discovering an underwater city. Crossing the world in a hot air balloon.)

LEARN: Investigative Inspiration

When reading the studies of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s works featuring the iconic Sherlock Holmes, one might wonder where the idea came from? The history of detective fiction can be traced to ancient roots: The Old Testament (Susanna and the Elders from the book of Daniel), Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, the tale of “The Three Apples” in One Thousand and One Nights (also known as Arabian Nights), Chinese Gong’an fiction (which translates to “case records of a public law court”) including stories like “Circle of Chalk”, dating back to the 13th century. But the characters that inhabit Doyle’s works may have found inspiration from some of his contemporaries. Take a read and see what you think.

Le Chevalier C. Auguste Dupin - Edgar Allan Poe’s detective from The Murders in the Rue Morgue whose primary skill is analytical abductive reason, studying signs and people’s body language and facial responses. As a character he is a thinking machine, lacking in emotive and interpersonal skills in favor of pursuing a purely logical, intellectual approach. In moments seen as snobbish while having a showman’s capacity for imaginative storytelling.

Monsieur Lecoq - Emile Gaboriau’s detective who was based on a real life criminal turned criminalist, Eugene Francois Vidocq. Gaboriau created a counterpart and mentor to Lecoq, as an armchair detective, Tabaret. The idea of an armchair detective is that they are physically inactive, but exist more so as a source of guidance to whom our hero detective can return. This archetypal character is mirrored in Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft.

Joseph Bell - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle readily and directly confessed that Dr. Joseph Bell , surgeon at the Royal infirmary of Edinburgh, was the real life inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes. Considered to be a pioneer of forensic sciences, Bell was widely known to use his distinct and impressive sense of observation to aid in the diagnosis of his patients’ ailments. In demonstration of his talents and method, he would find a stranger in a crowd and identify their means of employment or recent activities merely through observation of their appearance.

Sir Henry Littlejohn - Edinburgh’s first Medical Officer of Health, Littlejohn committed himself to investigating the general health of the public and through extensive findings and reporting was able to publish that the conditions of poverty directly link to disease and death. It is notable that Sherlock Holmes was often conveyed to be far more ill at ease among the financially elite than he was in the more poverty-stricken corners of London:
“They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside."
-The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892)

Maximilien Heller - A character penned by Henry Cauvain, Heller was a melancholic introverted genius who spent his time as a lawyer to save poor and innocent men from the guillotine. Through his work he finds purpose, drive, and the graces of society. The redemption arc is completed through the connection he makes with individuals case by case. Perhaps this is a character that showed cause for the creation of a “Watson”?

Dr. John (James Hamish) Watson - Sherlock’s assistant and confidant was initially named Ormond Sacker, but was ultimately named after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s own colleague, Dr. James Watson. Watson functionally serves as documentarian to Sherlock Holmes as the pair investigate crimes and mysteries. As his character develops across the many stories and books, a sense of devotion and heartfelt compassion is revealed through Watson’s writing, at times to the criticism of the cold and intellectually-forward Sherlock:
"I glanced over it. Honestly, I cannot congratulate you upon it. Detection is, or ought to be, an exact science and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism.”
-“The Problem at Thor Bridge” from The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes (1927)

Despite this foil in the characters’ senses of sentimentality, Watson serves as a necessary partner in brainstorming and often uncovers some aspect of a clue that leads Sherlock to solve the crime.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is pictured above. In various stories Dr. Watson is described as being modest, intelligent, a strongly built man with a thick, strong neckand a moustache. Perhpas there is evidence that our famed author put himself into his own work.

VISIT: On the lookout for a good night on the town but don’t know where to find your next clue? ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON! Look no further than these few spots below.

If you’re up for a real challenge check out the Sherlock Holmes Escape Room in North Olmsted. One may very well the need superhuman deduction of the original character with only a 24% success rate - test your skills of deduction and ingenuity with a few of your closest Watsons and Mrs. Hudsons to keep you in line.

Let your investigative spirit feast at Tabletop Board Game Cafe - with dozens if not hundreds of mystery and strategy games to choose from while grabbing a bite or drinks with friends and family.

SHARE: WHO’S YOUR WATSON?

The classic literary duo of Holmes and Watson are a perfect pair, complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses through thick and thin. Sometimes opposites attract, and if that opposite is up to a “Watson-esque” caliber, serendipitous and incredible things can happen. For these two, they solve impossible puzzles, unravel thickened plots, and catch heinous villains.

Who is your Watson? Who helps you navigate the trickiest of places and conquer the toughest of challenges? Share with us a story of you and your Watson, or just shout out some love to your right-hand-buddy at insideCPH@clevelandplayhouse.com or on social media utilizing #CPHMoriarty

EXPERIENCE: THE GAME’S AFOOT - not just another Ken Ludwig title!

The thrill of detective work has captivated stages (case in point here at CPH), movies, television, books, and also…(cue a dramatic pause… maybe a look…tension building…pulse quickening…temples sweating…and…at last!-) BOARD GAMES. The world’s most beloved and cherished detective has been adapted into a whole slew of games (OVER FIFTY!). Having done some detective work of our own, here are some top-rated Sherlock-themed games for your own home-spun whodunit! Take a gander at these and bring one back to your own lab (or apartment) to see if you can unravel the mysteries. Will the case prove too tough to crack, or will it be “elementary, my dear Watson”?

Sherlock Holmes: The Thames Murders and Other Cases

Watson & Holmes

221B Baker Street: Master Detective Game

Gamers Haven in Parma Heights has a handful of Sherlock series games including Letter from Whitechapel

If you’re looking for a bit more immersive role playing, try out Murder at Moorbourne Manor by Masters of Mystery. This is a murder mystery box set that guides you and guests in role-playing a variety of characters and staging your very own murder mystery.

Personal staff recommendation: set a budget of $5-$10 to have guests thrift costumes and make a full-production evening of it all.