Baker Street Irregulars

Welcome to Lanyap.

I'm Jay Curtis, and joining me in the studio today, Sherlock Holmes, The Baker Street Irregulars.

Director Jamie Gill and stage manager Elena Johnson are here, and we're here to talk about this new twist on the Sherlock Holmes story at Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts.

So, Jamie, first of all, what is Sherlock Holmes, and how does The Baker Street Irregulars tie into the story of Sherlock Holmes?

Okay, so the Baker Street Irregulars are basically a bunch of kids that Sherlock Holmes found in the streets.

They're street kids, basically.

They're street urchins.

And he got them to help him along the cases that he's working.

As for how Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective played, and still does, it's a masterclass in simplicity.

There are 10 cases in the box, and players, as Baker Street Irregulars, work together to solve each better than the great detective.

You start by reading the introduction to the case, taking note of any persons of interest or physical evidence you may want to know more about.

You should also read the newspaper for the date of the case, a mock-up of the times, with some world news, local events, sports, obituaries, classified ads, and the like.

Plus, these five murders were only a part of the 11 Whitechapel murders, so you get side cases based on those and other assaults on women to sift through and analyze for connections.

I'd primarily describe this campaign as depressing.

In 2020, Space Cowboys released Volume four, The Baker Street Irregulars, 10 fine new fictional cases written in English with a new gimmick, story flags.

Some paragraphs tell you to circle a particular letter in the log sheet, and others let you read certain sections only if you have a letter circled.

To whom?

You remember the Baker Street Irregulars whom I employed in our study of the Scarlet Clan?

Oh, those little ragamuffins.

[laughs]

Well, that's why I tell Holmes I wish you'd tell me how you got your message to the Scotland Yard.

Well, ever since these recent attacks on my life, I've had, uh, my delightful band of ragamuffins, the Baker Street Irregulars, watching my house, fixed watches, two at a time.

I gave the boys instructions to follow me whenever I went out.

And if ever I did not reappear within three hours, they were to report to our friend Lestrade at Scotland Yard.

Just a minute, gentlemen.

Just a minute.

I didn't get no message from any of your Baker Street Irregulars.

Oh, you didn't?

No, it's not quite so bad as that.

It is the unofficial force—the Baker Street Irregulars."

As he spoke there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs, a clatter of high voices, and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street Arabs.

There was some show of discipline among them, despite their tumultuous entry, for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces.

What's our next move, anyway? We must split our forces.

Let's get hold of my band of street urchins, the Baker Street Irregulars.

I'm going to surround Mr. Stewart's house in Cavendish Square, and they'll be invaluable for that purpose.

What do you want me to do? Go to the Tomsbury Hotel and collect Mr.

A bunch of children.

How can they do anything?

You don't know the Baker Street irregulars, Mr. Stewart.

And it's a perfect day for them to operate.

I must send a wire.

To whom? You remember the Baker Street Irregulars whom I employed in our study in Scarlet King? Oh, those little ragamuffins.

This is just where they might be invaluable.

The wire will be to my dirty little Lieutenant Wiggins.

Hudson, I was intending to tell her to summon some of my band of street urchins.

You know, the Baker Street Irregulars.

When she informed me that half a dozen of them were in the kitchen at this very moment, partaking of one of her incomparable steak and kidney pies, the rest should be obvious.

You left instructions for one of them to shadow Mr. Leighton when he left her?

Yes,

sir.

Please instruct another of the Baker Street Irregulars to follow this Linton Chumley when he leaves here and report to me.

All right, sir.