A Study in Violet

by Amber Dunton

Adapted from *A Study in Scarlet* by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (public domain).

*A Study in Violet* is a queer, period reimagining of the origin story of the world's most iconic detective duo– Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in their first case, *A Study in Scarlet*. When the pair is thrust into a mysterious murder investigation, it pushes the bounds of their companionship. As they pursue the murderer, they begin to uncover not only the crime, but the real story– the truth that Watson...

*A Study in Violet* is a queer, period reimagining of the origin story of the world's most iconic detective duo– Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in their first case, *A Study in Scarlet*. When the pair is thrust into a mysterious murder investigation, it pushes the bounds of their companionship. As they pursue the murderer, they begin to uncover not only the crime, but the real story– the truth that Watson could never publish.

A story of love and repression, *A Study in Violet*, examines who gets to tell the truth and how history hides the implicit. Through Watson's narrative asides, the characters' testimonial flashbacks, and raw emotion seeping through the cracks of the classic whodunit, we see the story the original novel could not tell– and the power of finally reclaiming it.

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A Study in Violet

Character Information

There are 16 characters played by 10 actors, though in educational settings, the cast size may be expanded to 16.

The doubling tracks are as follows:
STAMFORD / JOHN RANCE / INSPECTOR
the COMMISSIONAIRE / JOSEPH STANGERSON
DENNIS / WIGGINS / ARTHUR CHARPENTIER / the MILK BOY

The role of SAWYER KENSWICK is one character, seen differently by those around him. This is not a doubling track.
  • JOHN WATSON
    A doctor, recently returned from war.
    late 20s to early 30s
    Male
  • SHERLOCK HOLMES
    A consulting detective.
    20s
    Male
  • TOBIAS GREGSON
    A detective inspector at Scotland Yard.
    40s
    Male
  • LESTRADE
    Another detective inspector at Scotland Yard.
    30s
    Male
  • JEFFERSON HOPE
    A cabman (American).
    40s-50s
    Male
  • SAWYER KENSWICK
    One man seen differently by those around
    him:
    ● KENNY – A constable-in-training.
    ● a CAB DRIVER - Another cabman.
    ● an OLD WOMAN – A mother-in-law in search of a ring.
    ● KENSWICK – A respectable paperhanger.
    ● an OLD SHIPMATE – An old friend of Lt. Charpentier.
    ● THE BOOTS – A hotel worker.
    ● SAWYER - A friend of Mr. Hope.
    20s
    Male
  • ENOCH DREBBER
    A traveller (American).
    30s
    Male
  • JOSEPH STANGERSON
    His companion (American).
    30s
    Male
  • STAMFORD
    A dresser at Bart’s Hospital & an old acquaintance of Dr. Watson.
    20s
    Male
  • JOHN RANCE
    An experienced constable.
    30s-40s
    Male
  • the INSPECTOR
    An inspector at Scotland Yard.
    adult
    Male
  • the COMMISSIONAIRE
    A retired soldier, working as a uniformed messenger.
    40s-50s
    Male
  • DENNIS
    Another constable-in-training.
    early 20s
    Male
  • ARTHUR CHARPENTIER
    A young Navy sub-lieutenant on leave, under suspicion.
    late teens to early 20s
    Male
  • WIGGINS
    A street boy employed by Mr. Holmes.
    a boy
    Male
  • the MILK BOY
    A milk delivery boy & a young witness.
    a boy
    Male