Holmes Fest 2018 – The Return of Conan Doyle

Holmes Fest is back in 2018, with more events and more fun to celebrate the arrival in Portsmouth on a sunny day in late June 1882 of a young doctor by the name of Arthur Conan Doyle.

His stay in the town saw him become a professional writer, and it was here that he created the world greatest consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes.

To find out more about Arthur Conan Doyle, go to the number one web resource, The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopaedia.

Holmes Fest 2018: The Sign of Seven

Join us at 7 great events to celebrate Conan Doyle’s life in the town, crime, fiction, Victoriana and Portsmouth, with specially written stories, songs and poems. There’ll be a ghostly investigation of the King’s Theatre, Southsea, for you to take on, a talk on the origins of Sherlock Holmes’s most famous novel – The Hound of the Baskervilles – and you can finish it all off the following week with a brewery tour and silent movie, watching none other than Conan Doyle’s The Lost World .

Beer and dinosaurs?  Don’t get tyrannosaurus wrecked!  (NB: Some jokes may harm your health)

Along the way there will be duelling, top hats, Steampunk goggles, cups of tea, beer, a lightshow and a prize for the best dressed Victorian.


HOLMES FEST BOOKING INFO

We would love you to come along. Here’s the full programme and links to ticket sales:


27th JUNE – HOLMES FEST “Three cheers for Arthur Conan Doyle” 

NOW BACK FOR ITS SECOND YEAR

– BIGGER AND BETTER!

Join Portsmouth writers and artists to celebrate the arrival of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Portsmouth in late June 1882.

An all-star line-up of authors and performers will read stories, sing, perform sketches, show film and demonstrate Victorian shooting skills in a programme specially designed to pay homage to this remarkable man.

In Portsmouth, Conan Doyle invented his greatest character, Sherlock Holmes, and became a convinced Spiritualist, two of the most important parts of his life.

Tonight we celebrate Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, Victorian Portsmouth, detective fiction, crime writing and much more.

***VERY IMPORTANT*** YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO DRESS UP.

If you want to get into the spirit of the times, there will be a prize for THE BEST DRESSED VICTORIAN.

And – if you want to partake in Victorian duelling and have your palm read by a mysterious and silly fortune teller, come along to this year’s Holmes Fest in Portsmouth.

Light refreshments available.

LOOK OUT FOR OTHER HOLMES FEST EVENTS: This year, as well as this evening of stories, performance and fun, look out for the evening of Victorian Music Hall with Hudson and Lestrade, performances by local writers, and talks.

Tickets shortlink: http://bit.ly/3cheers4arthur

The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth,

Doors 7.00pm
Performances begin 7.30pm.

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29th JUNE – SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE STRANGE CASE OF THE THEATRE GHOST

Holmes and Watson have been asked to investigate the strange case of a Theatre Ghost that has been terrorising those working at The Kings Theatre, Southsea. You will be asked to join in their investigations and as you tour deep into the shadows of the Theatre you will hear from those who work there, strange tales of the supernatural.

But as the tour gets darker, will you be able to explain the mystery or perhaps you see the theatre spectre itself!

As part of the investigation you will be touring around the Theatre from the very top to the very bottom. This will involve a lot of stairs and you will be entering areas of very low lighting. The investigation will take about an hour and will involve interaction with actors.

Ticket short link: http://bit.ly/sherlockghost

King’s Theatre, Southsea, 7.30 -10.30pm. £15

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30th JUNE – MORIARTY MISCHIEF – FREE EVENT

Come to Canvas Coffee at Portsmouth and Southsea’s Victorian railway station and find spoken word artists giving their own performances on Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, Victorian living, and much more besides!

This event is completely free. Just drop in and and enjoy some of the modernday Portsmouth talent that follows in the footsteps of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes.

11am – 2pm. FREE

FACEBOOK PAGE


1st JULY – HUDSON AND LESTRADE PRESENT

They’re back by popular demand!

Funny, joyous melody makers Hudson and Lestrade made such an impression at 2017’s Holmes Fest event, with the audience begging that they have an evening of their own.

Not ones to disappoint, Holmes Fest 2018 is proud to present Hudson and Lestrade in an evening of Victorian music hall tunes, humour and history, in which you learn the origins of tunes you had no idea about.

Be prepared to join in, to have fun, and learn the secret origins of The Doggy in the Window, The Ghost of Sherlock Holmes and much more besides in this celebration of all things Victorian.

The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth.

Tickets short link: http://bit.ly/holmesfesthudson

Doors 7.00pm
Performances begin 7.30pm.

BOOK NOW


3rd JULY – SHERLOCK SHOUT OUT

You are invited to an evening celebrating the written word in Portsmouth – and to take to the mic yourself in a warm and welcoming environment, to follow in the footsteps of the great Pompey penspeople who have gone before you.

If you have a piece that you’d like to perform, contact the team at T’articulation to find out how you can air your work.

This is going to be a night of great spoken word performance from old hands and new. All are welcome.

Hunter Gatherer, Albert Road, 7 – 9.30pm

FREE EVENT

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4th JULY – BEYOND THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES 

Southsea Library July 4th, £5.00

What are the amazing stories that lie behind Sherlock Holmes’ most famous case, The Hound of the Baskervilles?

Mark Norman, creator of The Folklore Podcast and folklore author, will take you on a journey of spine-chilling discovery.

Uncover the ancient Wisht Hound legends and folk tales that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to create the great glowing hound of Dartmoor and meet dark mysteries along the way.

Mark Norman’s fascinating live talk begins at 7pm, Wednesday 4th July at Southsea Library, and will be followed by a Q and A session.

Seating is strictly limited to 45, so book now to avoid disappointment!

Tickets shortlink: http://bitly.com/BeyondTheHound

Tickets: available from Portsmouth Libraries and ONLINE HERE


14th JULY – ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE’S LOST PINT

Arthur Conan Doyle's Lost Pint Brewery Tour and Film ShowLadies and Gentlemen, please raise your glasses to the great man behind Sherlock Holmes, the Mummy stories and The Lost World

The Gosport Steampunk Society welcome you to a night of beers, of a brewery tour and of dinosaurs.

After meeting and mingling you will be whisked away to the brewery to see how traditional English ales are crafted.

After which, you will have the delight of  retiring to the comfort of the Fallen Acorn pub for more civilising drinks – and the chance to enjoy a viewing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s silent classic, The Lost World.

It’s going to be fun!

Venue: The Fallen Acorn, Gosport. 4 – 10.00-ish pm. 

Price: £10 per head payable on the door.

Includes two different beers, brewery tour and movie. Dressing up optional – and encouraged.