Review: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice Radio Drama
I’ve been reading through a wonderful Sherlock Holmes pastiche, the Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King, in my spare time at work, and recently discovered that the first book, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, had been adapted for the radio by the BBC: see here. Thanks to awanderingbard for pointing out that this even exists; I wouldn’t have known about it otherwise!
Unfortunately, while I adore the book series, this radio series was rather disappointing.
Things I liked: Russell’s interaction with a young girl was very sweet, the foreshadowing throughout the series was cool, it’s very neat when Russell and Holmes use their deductive skills on each other, and the characters of Mycroft and John are in this and sound very good! I will also admit that the series improves as it goes on, if you give it a chance.
However, there are lots of things that could have been done better: the actors’ voices were the main problem for me because they were all wrong and threw the characterization off, but the structure of the series is a bit odd, too, rushing through the interesting bits and slowing down during the more dull bits: the framing device of the chess game with Miss Donleavy not being that interesting, though I understand its purpose. The director, Melanie Harris, also has an infuriating tendency to transition between short scenes with sudden shrill violin music.
But what I dislike most is that it seems all of the characters’ trademark loveable humor from the books is missing or so muted as to be nonexistent. Russell in this book is a sly 15-year-old tomboy who is slow to anger but nonetheless frustrated with her current position in the world. Holmes is still a crafty young man in an older man’s body with an ever-present dry sense of humor and outlook on life. But Russell (played by Monica Dolan from Appropriate Adult) in the radio adaptation sounds prim and proper, a prissy little know-it-all-exactly the opposite of her characterization in the books-and Holmes, who is a spry, sarcastic 54-year-old in this book, sounds more like a weary 70-year-old. (Ha, I was right, the voice-actor for Sherlock, James Fox, is actually 73.) A fine voice for Mycroft, perhaps, but not for Sherlock. Speaking of Mycroft, I did actually like the voice acting for him (by Gavin Muir) and for John Watson (the dramatist for the series, Shaun Prendergast), and I was pleased that the characters were included! They feature pretty heavily in the third episode, “The Segregation of the Queen,” making that one my favorite.
I had hoped that the radio series might draw new fans to the book series, but since it doesn’t seem to be that well done, I guess I shouldn’t hold out hopes for that. But please do believe me that the book series is great! I’ve reviewed the books here:
- Brief Review of Book One, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
- Review of Book Two, A Monstrous Regiment of Women
- Review of Book Three, A Letter of Mary
- Review of Book Four, The Moor
- Review of Book Five, O Jerusalem
- Review of Book Six, Justice Hall
- Review of Book Seven, The Game
Oh, to have Benedict Cumberbatch voice all things Sherlock-related. Alas.
Back to my Sherlock Holmes Adaptations Masterlist: ( Taxi!)
Unfortunately, while I adore the book series, this radio series was rather disappointing.
Things I liked: Russell’s interaction with a young girl was very sweet, the foreshadowing throughout the series was cool, it’s very neat when Russell and Holmes use their deductive skills on each other, and the characters of Mycroft and John are in this and sound very good! I will also admit that the series improves as it goes on, if you give it a chance.
However, there are lots of things that could have been done better: the actors’ voices were the main problem for me because they were all wrong and threw the characterization off, but the structure of the series is a bit odd, too, rushing through the interesting bits and slowing down during the more dull bits: the framing device of the chess game with Miss Donleavy not being that interesting, though I understand its purpose. The director, Melanie Harris, also has an infuriating tendency to transition between short scenes with sudden shrill violin music.
But what I dislike most is that it seems all of the characters’ trademark loveable humor from the books is missing or so muted as to be nonexistent. Russell in this book is a sly 15-year-old tomboy who is slow to anger but nonetheless frustrated with her current position in the world. Holmes is still a crafty young man in an older man’s body with an ever-present dry sense of humor and outlook on life. But Russell (played by Monica Dolan from Appropriate Adult) in the radio adaptation sounds prim and proper, a prissy little know-it-all-exactly the opposite of her characterization in the books-and Holmes, who is a spry, sarcastic 54-year-old in this book, sounds more like a weary 70-year-old. (Ha, I was right, the voice-actor for Sherlock, James Fox, is actually 73.) A fine voice for Mycroft, perhaps, but not for Sherlock. Speaking of Mycroft, I did actually like the voice acting for him (by Gavin Muir) and for John Watson (the dramatist for the series, Shaun Prendergast), and I was pleased that the characters were included! They feature pretty heavily in the third episode, “The Segregation of the Queen,” making that one my favorite.
I had hoped that the radio series might draw new fans to the book series, but since it doesn’t seem to be that well done, I guess I shouldn’t hold out hopes for that. But please do believe me that the book series is great! I’ve reviewed the books here:
- Brief Review of Book One, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
- Review of Book Two, A Monstrous Regiment of Women
- Review of Book Three, A Letter of Mary
- Review of Book Four, The Moor
- Review of Book Five, O Jerusalem
- Review of Book Six, Justice Hall
- Review of Book Seven, The Game
Oh, to have Benedict Cumberbatch voice all things Sherlock-related. Alas.
Back to my Sherlock Holmes Adaptations Masterlist: ( Taxi!)