Baskerville

“Baskerville” by Ken Ludwig is an intriguing play based on the classic “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Arthur Conan Doyle. In this twisted mystery, Sherlock Holmes  (Tony Holtham) and his companion Doctor Watson (Jake Baker) are confronted with the case of Sir Charles Baskerville, who meets an untimely death due to an elusive hound. This plunges Sir Henry Baskerville, a Texan, into inheriting his estate. With this, Watson and Holmes are assigned to the case and travel to the English countryside to investigate the case further. Along the way there are twists and turns that bring us closer and even yet much farther from the case than we have ever expected. 

Tony Holtham as Sherlock Holmes had just the right amount of arrogance and demanding stage presence required for the role and should be congratulated on his commanding performance. Jake Baker as Doctor Watson complimented Holmes guiding us through the evolving story showing us both the characters strengths and weaknesses.

Apart from the dynamic duo, just three actors played by Jeremy Smith, Wayne Young and India Watson played all of the thirty-six other remaining roles. The 3 leapt in and out of roles with delightful dexterity, quick costume changes, different accents and a skill in remembering who they were in each scene. Although some accents were a little loose at times and difficult to understand they were perfectly acceptable in this spoof adaptation.

Well done to the costume team of Fiona Ashby, Sarah Crocket and Zena Salt, who had created over 60 versatile costumes that allowed the performers to change quickly using some clever techniques including reversible costumes, hidden magnets, the use of Velcro and replacing some button fastenings with elastic. 

I particularly liked the staging of this production with three clearly defined performance areas depicting 221B Baker Street, the moors and every other internal building. 

There were some great stage effects and plenty of attention to detail, especially when a very small light could be seen outside the window depicting a light on the moor, the reception desk (complete with bell, plant and signing in book) all attached to the hotel receptionist with a very dodgy moustache, the hilarity of the train station signs that suddenly skated there way into view (although occasionally a bit wobbly) and the body that disappears under a coat.

My favourite scene has to be when Jake Baker and Wayne Young fall down the side of the steep hillside, sliding down the back wall of the set and then continuing to roll towards the front of the stage and nearly into the laps of the front row, great physical comedy by both.

I am sure that Director and Stage Manager, Deb Watson, is extremely pleased with the fast paced, incredibly detailed, well crafted and highly choreographed mayhem brought to the stage in this production. Thank goodness here daughter bought her a ticket to see Baskerville at the Liverpool Playhouse in January 2018 ensuring that game was most definitely afoot at the Attfield Theatre.

 

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