British Production of THE SECRET OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Plays Hollywood Fringe, Now thru 6/24

This June, three British talents bring one of the world's most beloved duos to Hollywood. Renowned Brit actors JOHN MAWSON and MARIO VERNAZZA, team up with the directing talents of one of London's most beloved theatre practitioners, AMIR KORANGY, head of acting at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London for 14 years, to present THE SECRET OF SHERLOCK HOLMES on Sat June 9th, 4:00pm (Preview), Thu June 14th 10:00pm, Sat June 16th 4:00pm, Thu June 21st 7:00pm, Sat June 23rd 7:00pm and Sun June 24th 2:30pm at Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles 90038.

"The Secret of Sherlock Holmes" by Jeremy Paul is an intelligent and witty forensic thriller, which puts the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson under the great detective's own magnifying glass. Investigating their famous relationship, and their psychological duel with the master criminal Moriarty, it references many of the cases that Sherlock Holmes' fans already know and will intrigue newcomers to discover more.

"It's elementary, my dear Watson" became a global catchphrase - this is a chance to find out why.

Originally written in 1988, the play was revived in the UK in 2010 for a national tour, which transferred to London's West End gaining excellent reviews: JOHN MAWSON was in that production. The play had been originally devised for Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke, who portrayed the pair for many years on UK TV.

The author Jeremy Paul died in 2011, and this production, performed and dedicated to his memory, has the kind support of his widow.

'My husband would have been so pleased to know that you are planning to put on 'The Secret' (in L.A.) and I wish you lots of luck with the production', said Patricia Paul.

Good friends both on and off the stage, JOHN MAWSON and MARIO VERNAZZA are elated to be taking on their very famous roles. Says Mawson, "Mario and I discussed several projects, but it became clear on reading this play that it, and our casting as Holmes and Watson, was the perfect choice. For me, to play Holmes here in Hollywood is a dream come true. He is a huge, iconic, much loved character, but also a flawed, troubled, mercurial challenge."

Vernazza concurs that their legendary duo are certainly not one-dimensional versions of the celebrated story, "It is always a challenge to play a character the audience know well, or think they know well. Watson has, in the past, been portrayed as a bumbling fool - he is neither of these as we shall discover in this production."

The production will also be a reunion of sorts for Vernazza, and director AMIR KORANGY,
"For me, personally, it is a source of great joy to have Amir directing. Our paths first crossed when he directed the first professional production I appeared in. Nearly 30 years later, after a chance meeting, we are working together again. His insight and love of theatre continues to inspire all around him", says Vernazza.

JOHN MAWSON (Holmes) Originally a Merchant Navy ships captain and then VP for a large multinational shipping company, is a classically trained actor (London Centre for Theatre Studies 2006/7). Stage credits include "Inherit The Wind" starring Kevin Spacey, directed by SIR Trevor Nunn at The Old Vic Theatre, London, and roles in SHAKESPEARE and CHEKHOV. Screen credits include a lead role in the 2010 Brit Thriller The Last Seven alongside Danny Dyer and TAMER HASSAN. Since arriving in L.A. last year he has written and co-produced Masters of the House; a successful new media sitcom. His short film 6 Years, 4 Months and 23 Days directed by GERARD ROXBURGH (John's screenplay was runner up at Slamdance 2011 out of over 2,300 entries) is now on the festival circuit.

MARIO VERNAZZA (Watson) is a classically trained British actor (Rose Bruford College London) who has worked in theatre, film, TV and radio for over 20 years. In theatre, he has performed many new works including a stage version of PAOLO COELHO's international best seller The Alchemist as well as classical plays including SHAKESPEARE, DICKENS, WILDE. He was recently in the hit Christmas pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk. He has worked at the BBC on both television and radio. His films includes The Da Vinci Code directed by Ron Howard, Swinging with the Finkels directed by JONathan Newman and Nine directed by Rob Marshall where he fulfilled a lifetime ambition of working with the iconic Sophia Loren.

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