Rich characters in Kenilworth theatre’s production on Sherlock’s creator

Matthew Salisbury of the Talisman Theatre Company has taken on the task of adapting the Booker Prize-winning novel Arthur and George by Julian Barnes to bring to the stage a play of the same title.

Written by David Edgar, the drama tells the story of a need for a wrong done to an outsider to be put right, but does it with, says Matthew, “such rich characters and energy, that the ride alone is worth it”.

In 1904, George Edalji, a humble Anglo-Indian solicitor, was arrested for an attack on a pit-pony at night-time, in a field near the Staffordshire town of Great Wyrley.

This seemed to be part of a campaign of terror on the neighbourhood. He was tried, found guilty and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. Arthur Conan Doyle had, by the turn of the century, become one of the most famous men of letters in the country.

He was also constantly shadowed by the unspoken presence in every conversation, of his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes.

In 1907, Conan Doyle and Edalji met. The former was so appalled by the facts of the case that he set about to prove Edalji’s innocence.

The case takes many twists and turns with both men realising that reality and legality make the truth far more complicated than anything in a detective story.

Arthur and George is at the Talisman Theatre in Barrow Road from today (Monday) until Saturday June 16 at 7.30pm. For tickets (£6 to £8.50), call 856548.