The Diogenes Documentaries: Voices in Darkness (History of Black Sherlock Holmes)
9http://nplh.co.uk - A mini documentary examining the rich, but little known, history of African-American Sherlock Holmes/Dr Watson actors and productions throughout history. Featuring the likes of @BachelorsPadTv @MichaelJackson @Jeffersonsistersoffical1@allinthefamily9146 Alexander Simmons, Bert Williams, Adrienne Hernden, Vauxhall Jermaine, @barackobama @RonKillingsTV and more.
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Main Narration by Leo Tabi @_LKAT_
https://www.instagram.com/tabil_king/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D
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W.C Fields: Justice Margowski @wondroustales1617
https://twitter.com/cadbeery
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Written and Researched by
@Straker1895 Ross K. Foad, and Ray Wilcockson
Directed/Edited/Produced by: Ross K. Foad
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n 1903, Bert A Williams born 1875 in the Bahamas, played a character named Shylock Holmstead in the african american stage musical, In Da Homey. While he is not the first african-american to directly play the character, Holmstead is an obvious parody of the detective. The musical sees him and Rareback Pinkerton, a Watson type played by George W. Walker, as detectives tracking down a missing casket in Gatorville, Florida.
But Bert's accolades do not stop nor start from this performance, for he was a key figure in the development of African American entertainment. He was arguably one of the biggest black superstars in a growing media age, For at a time when racial inequality was extremely commonplace, he was the first black actor to take a leading role on the broadway stage, and did much to push back against racial barriers during his career.
Fellow vaudeville actor, W.C Fields, who appeared in productions with Williams described him as
"Bert Williams, the funniest man I ever saw and the saddest man I've ever known."
The parody characters of Holmstead and Rareback would not end with Williams and Walker either,
For the roles would soon be taken up by Charles Hart and Dan Avery. First in 1903, where they played the characters in a production called "The Sons Of Ham", followed by another run of 'In Da Homey', which brough them all the way to England in 1905.
Following this, they stayed together as a comedy double act, achieving huge popularity and performing in many big time main stream Vaudeville shows.
Next up is Adrienne Hernden. a very important African American woman who was instrumental in introducing Sherlock Holmes to the African American Atlana community. Adrienne married Alonzo Hernden, who was born a slave, and became the first black millionare in Atlanta.
Denied becoming the actress she wanted to be due to racism, she refused to be frozen out of the arts entirely, and so brought Shakespeare to the South instead, presenting the University's first Shakesperian Production. She directed all the University's stage offerings, and brought serious quality drama to the Atlana black community. This was no corner of the bar offering, with her players having access to professional stage, sets, and costumes.
It is through this role she would host The William Gillette theatre company's prouduction of Sherlock Holmes in 'The Adventures of The Second Stain'.
In doing so, she introduced the character and stories to many African Americans for the very first time.
Read More: https://www.nplh.co.uk/voices-in-darkness.html
#blackhistorymonth #blackactors #filmhistory #blacklivesmatter #sherlockholmes #wwe #sherlock #silentfilm #stageplays #comics