MAY 1 - MAY 31 2026
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What's On
Sherlock Holmes vs Arsène Lupin: A Drag Crime Caper - Brighton Fringe
Sherlock Holmes vs Arsène Lupin: A Drag Crime Caper
A new camp comedy pitting England’s most famous consulting detective against France’s most infamous gentleman burglar.

Arsène Lupin voyages across the Channel to challenge Sherlock Holmes, with Dr John Watson caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between these literary legends.

The Department of Ulterior Motives (DUM) specialises in high-concept, low-budget productions that blend physical performance and accessible storytelling with a mischievously political edge. Their debut production, an adaptation of The Man Who Was Thursday, was selected for SPRINT Festival 2026 at Camden People’s Theatre.

Cast & Creative Team

Sherlock Holmes - Maria Evans
Arsène Lupin - Chully Mullock
John Watson - Esther Dracott
Inspector Ganimard - Emma Howarth
Josephine Balsamo - Phaedra Danelli
Moriarty/Irene Adler - Michael Grant
Mrs Hudson - Alex Scarrott
Ensemble - Alex Louise
Ensemble - Anna Young

Writer/Director - Samuel Masters
Associate Director - Cerys Duffy
Movement Director - Ella Palmer

Reviews

A riotous whirlwind of activity... a most enjoyable romp!

- Broadway Baby (for The Man Who Was Thursday, DUM, 2025)

★★★★

Nothing short of immaculate... farce at its very best.

- Brighton Source (for The Man Who Was Thursday, DUM, 2025)

More than a tour-de-farce... you must see this.

- View From The Gods (for The Man Who Was Thursday, DUM, 2025)

Company: The Department of Ulterior Motives

Genre: Theatre

Duration: 120 mins

This event has an interval.

Venues: Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT)Ironworks Studios (Studio A)

Venue Accessibility:

Assistance Dogs Welcome Assistance Dogs Welcome

Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Accessible

Accessible Toilet Accessible Toilet

Step-free Access Step-free Access

This is combined information – if this event is happening across multiple venues, please be aware this may not be applicable across all performances.

For any queries about venue accessibility, including step free access, please contact box office.

Age suitability: 14+ (Guideline)

Babes in Arms policy: Under 2's are not allowed at this event.

Content Warnings:

Loud Noises Loud Noises

Additional Content Warning:
Sexual innuendo and comic violence

May 16, 2026

2:00 pm

Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT)

Standard: £15

Conc: £14 paid

May 16, 2026

7:00 pm

Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT)

Standard: £15

Conc: £14 paid

May 19, 2026

7:30 pm

Ironworks Studios (Studio A)

Standard: £15

Conc: £12 paid

May 20, 2026

7:30 pm

Ironworks Studios (Studio A)

Standard: £15

Conc: £12 paid

May 21, 2026

7:30 pm

Ironworks Studios (Studio A)

Standard: £15

Conc: £12 paid



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