Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose previous credits together include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita, are penning original songs for Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas, which will make its world premiere later this year at Birmingham Rep.
Directed by Phillip Breen with Becky Hope-Palmer, Humphrey Ker and David Reed's comedy whodunit will play the U.K. venue November 14, 2025–January 11, 2026, with an official opening November 20. Casting will be announced at a later date.
Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas, set during Christmas time in Victorian London in the West End, follows Sherlock as he races against the clock, in mortal danger, to save French Hens, find Gold Rings, and rescue Mother Goose.
In a joint statement Rice and Lloyd Webber said, “Sherlock Holmes and The Tweve Days of Christmas is pure mischief. It has the exuberance of a Christmas tree, the joy of a panto, and a plot worthy of Conan Doyle. It’s wonderful to be working together again on something so unashamedly fun.”
Lloyd Webber and Rice have not collaborated on a full musical since 1978's Evita, though they have worked on smaller projects on and off in the years since, including contributing new songs to a 2011 version of The Wizard of Oz, otherwise mostly based on the 1939 MGM movie musical.
Ker and Reed are the stars and creators of the award-winning comic troupe The Penny Dreadfuls.
Birmingham Rep presents in association with Heartaches Ltd. Click here for more information.
