Baker Street Kids one act play script

ONE ACT PLAYS

THE BAKER STREET KIDS
by Dave Buchanan
("The Case of the Riverbank Chase") A Sherlock Holmes mystery for youth groups featuring the Baker Street Irregulars.

Plot Summary
The Case of the Riverbank Chase is an exciting adventure based on Conan Doyle’s The Sign of Four, featuring a gang of boys (and girls), who assist the great detective Sherlock Holmes in tracking down a notorious criminal called Jeremiah Grogan. The climax is a thrilling chase along the banks of the River Thames.
The play which is for a mixed cast of 11-14 year-olds and has fifteen parts, is ideal for schools. It is technically demanding, but full of comic and suspenseful moments, and guaranteed to thrill and amuse.
"I enjoyed the play, especially the scenes with the kids. Their dialogue and characterisation were first class. (The play) certainly captures the essence of the characters of Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson and Mrs Hudson, economically and effectively. A. Conan Doyle would have ebeen delighted with how well the spirit of the Baker Street stories has been captured in the play!" - Sandy Glass

ISBN 1 904930 86 7

CAST 8 M 7F

Sherlock Holmes
Doctor Watson
Mrs Hudson

Wiggins
Smiler
Badger
Benjie
Sammy
Calvin Alice
Liza
Lily
Mary
Lettie
Maggie

SET
Holmes's lodgings, the kids' den, various riverbank locations

TIME - Victorian London, 1890, midsummer
DURATION - 45-50 minutes

Script Sample

Watson is discovered in the armchair snoring when suddenly there is a loud knock on the door

He wakes up as Mrs Hudson bustles in R

Mrs Hudson Doctor, doctor, what shall I do? What shall I do?
Watson (rising) Calm down, Mrs Hudson, and tell me what is the matter?
Mrs Hudson There’s a bunch of ruffians downstairs, doctor, and I don’t know what to make of them, I really don’t, so help me.
Watson A bunch of ruffians, you say?
Mrs Hudson Yeh, a right bunch of tearaways ...
Watson Are they threatening you?
Mrs Hudson (after a pause) No.
Watson Are they damaging the property?
Mrs Hudson (another pause) No.
Watson Well what then?
Mrs Hudson I don’t really know. I told them to go away but they wouldn’t …
Watson Shall I get the police?
Mrs Hudson No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary.
Watson What do they want?
Mrs Hudson They want to see Mr Holmes … oh, and I’ve just remembered, they gave me this.

She hands him a note which he reads

Watson (after a while) Ah. (Smiling) My dear Mrs Hudson, tell them to come in.
Mrs Hudson What? Do you know them, doctor?
Watson Indeed. They are here to assist Mr Holmes. Please.
Mrs Hudson Well I never did.

She makes to go out, then turns back

If you’re sure, doctor ...
Watson Quite sure.

She exits R

Watson has a quick glance at a newspaper. Presently there is another knock

Come in.

Mrs Hudson enters

Mrs Hudson Right, you lot, in! And don’t even think about touching anything. And I mean anything!

Six scruffy looking street urchins come in rather sheepishly, looking round them all the while at their surroundings. They are: Wiggins, Smiler, Calvin, Benjie, Sammy and Badger

Badger Cor, just look at this place!
Smiler Get a load of them pictures.
Calvin Are you a toff, mister?
Wiggins Shut up!

They form a ragged line in front of Watson

Watson Ah Wiggins, so these are your troops, are they?
Wiggins Yes, guv’.
Watson That’ll be all, Mrs Hudson.
Mrs Hudson (moving off reluctantly) Just make sure they don’t touch anything …
Watson I will, thank you, Mrs Hudson.

She finally exits R

As she does, the sound of a violin’s plaintive wailing is heard

Badger ’Ere, wot’s that ‘orrible noise?
Watson That ‘’orrible noise’ is Mr Sherlock Holmes playing his violin. I shall tell him you have arrived.

Watson exits UR

Wiggins Why can’t you shut your gob, Badger?
Badger Well I didn’t know it was Mr ’Olmes, did I?
Wiggins (smiling) It is a bit ’orrible, isn’t it?

They all laugh and cover their ears etc.

The noise eventually subsides

Calvin (pointing off R) They’re coming!

The boys quickly line up again as Sherlock Holmes comes in followed by Watson

Holmes Ah there they are. The Baker Street Irregulars.

from The Baker Street Kids

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