Performed to 5,000 kids in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lady Dither's Ghost, a musical version of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, is one of the most successful productions of the Lilliput Players.

Children in the audience may be invited to participate as Baker Street Irregulars, who blow whistles, do a simple march, and become involved in a musical chase scene. Two of the Irregulars have speaking parts (one line each) and capture the villain.

Lady Dither suspects that her house is haunted. She isn't the least bit afraid of the ghosts, but she is sick and tired of the noise they make. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson take charge, blending humor, mystery, and music appeal to both children and adults. In addition, the script exposes children to useful learning concepts—how to be observant, how to use logic to reach conclusions, etc.—in an entertaining fashion.

Tuneful, singable music and clever lyrics add to the charm of the action-packed story. The long one-act may use a single unit set with Victorian-era costumes.

Dumont Howard is the author of Talking Leaves.

Another Sherlock Holmes play: The Adventure of the Speckled Band

See also: Audience-Participation Plays; Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem