Wiggins, played by Tristen Ferguson, makes a quick run for it with Wainwright’s briefcase — the key to the entire case. — Johnson Publications
A couple of clowns who simply can’t agree on what’s funny kept the audience laughing at last weekend’s production of “Baker Street Irregulars.” Crank, played by Mason Vernon, carries a pole with confidence that the traditional slap-stick acts are hilarious. Jingles, played by Robert Soukup, dodges it, unsure about what’s so funny about him getting hurt all the time. — Johnson Publications
Players prove talent doesn’t depend on age
They were constantly told they couldn’t do something because they were just kids or because they were girls, but the Baker Street Irregulars weren’t about to sit back and let the worthless adults or the entitled men take charge by mere virtue of their age or gender.
Tristen Ferguson played a nuanced Wiggins, the leader of the Irregulars and a Sherlock Holmes devotee. He and four other orphans, played by Isaiah Rueter, Addie Goldenstein, Aly Lock and Gianna Swan, were the namesakes of the Phillips County Players Aug. 11-13 “Baker Street Irregulars” dinner theater at the Event Center.
Be it uncharacteristic toughness, relentless inquisitiveness, a keen memory of headlines, exemplary manners or acute attention to detail, each of the Irregulars brought something unique to the table.
Called on by Sherlock Holmes himself, the band of misfits rushed to help investigate the mysterious death of the sword swallower at the Wainwright Circus, only to discover that Holmes has taken ill himself. He’s rushed to the hospital, but not before leaving Wiggins a message — “murder.”
Scotland Yard’s Inspector Lestrade, played by Christopher Colglazier, and his officers Wilkes and Pelham, played by Eric Conklin and Zander Salyers, frequently shoo the kids away, certain that they’ll only be in the way.
With the police busy questioning Wainwright, played by Maury Kramer, and the other adults, the Irregulars decide to question the youthful circus apprentices, including Wainwright’s own adopted daughter, Elza, played by Erika Meakins.
There were young clowns, played by Robert Soukup and Mason Vernon, struggling to figure out just how to make people laugh. Kya Thacker, Salyers and Ashlyn Marcum played the up and coming animal trainers, and Marcum’s enthusiasm for scooping muck turned more than a few heads.
Conjoined twins, played by Kyrah and Piper McConachie, practice their fortune telling during the Irregulars’ questioning, and a sly sausage salesman, played by Soukup, plays on an orphan’s greatest weakness — hunger.
Kinley Sporhase played a young acrobat constantly perplexed —much to the audience’s delight — by her French peers played by Thacker and Marcum.
And what self-respecting circus would be complete without a strong man, played by Kree McConachie?
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