Sherlock Holmes The Hound of the Baskervilles

This innovative original work written and directed by Mark Jones adapted from a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle appears to have been inspired by a number of new modern interpretations of the Sherlock Holmes stories including Guy Richie’s Sherlock Holmes films which are set in Conan Doyle’s original time line. In these films Holmes (Robert Downey Junior) is a very different character from previous incarnations as he is more of an action hero. There is television’s ‘Sherlock’ played by Benedict Cumberbatch set in the present day, and the play also had a feel of ‘Elementary’ the American version of ‘Sherlock ‘which  has some differences from the British version,  here Sherlock is played by Johnny Lee Miller and Dr Watson is a women. I personally enjoy all three of these incarnations, so I was really looking forward to this updated version of the ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’. I was not disappointed; I found this play well plotted and very entertaining

The set design by Mike Taylor was unique with very clever use of the stage and space available.  Instead of using curtains to change scenes folding side sets were used and when opened and closed different performance areas were revealed for different scenes, at which point the attention of the audience was centred on the action by use of clever lighting. When the set fully opened up to reveal Baskerville Hall it was very impressive, there appeared to be an audible gasp from the audience as one truly felt you were in the sitting room of a large historic house with oak panelling and austere furniture,well done to the stage crew for very efficient changing of scenes. There was major technical involvement in this play both visually and with sound. The use of music, pictures and film throughout the production helped set the scene and the mood for the action as well as being a plot device. Congratulations to the technical crew for a wonderful job and for excellent use of the their genre

As the play opens we see Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes talking about the end of their sleuthing partnership as Dr Watson is getting married .The action then moves on in time and we find ourselves in Sherlock Holmes’s room in Baker Street.  Here we meet Sherlock Holmes played outstandingly by Dave Reid and Mrs Hudson the housekeeper memorably played by Siobhan Edge. The interaction between Sherlock and Mrs Hudson was very well acted and amusing, both these actors have good stage presence and a natural way of speaking with very expressive facial expression making them easy to watch and follow.  Robert Walsh as Dr James Mortimer gave a good solid performance as he tried to persuade Sherlock to help solve the mystery of the Hound of the Baskervilles and help protect the new Sir Henry Baskerville( well played by Martin Clarke) from the hound as he is the last of his line or is he? Mathew Routledge as Dr John Watson was manipulated by Sherlock to help him with this case one last time played his part effectively. He communicated well his frustration with his friend Sherlock which had resulted from his friend’s actions and manipulation.  On arrival at Baskerville Hall we meet Mr Barrymore the butler and his wife Mrs Barrymore nicely played by Andy Burke and Moyra Welch. At a party to meet the neighbours we are introduced to Jack Stapleton played very well with underlying menace by Steven Catterall and his sister (later revealed to be his wife) Beryl Stapleton played with confidence by Vanessa Winter-Lambourne.  Kath Townsend played a very confident no nonsense female Inspector Lestrade, her dialogue could be heard and was very clear. Rebecca Dickinson played a solemn Laura Lyons appearing to cooperate with the investigation because she had no choice and Sharon Elder, Mike Taylor and Linda Coppin gave us nice cameo performances in the roles of Lady Gray, Mr Walker and Mrs Walker neighbours of Sir Henry. Although I really enjoyed this play and I was generally able to follow the plot, there were a few occasions  when there was a problem hearing the dialogue as some of the actors did not project well and appeared to speak in normal conversational voice. Also some conversations were spoken facing up stage and on a few occasions the actors had their backs to the audience. This meant the audience could not see the facial expressions and the actor was not speaking loud enough for the audience to hear which could have been detrimental for following the plot. However this did not appear to spoil the audience’s enjoyment at all as many were praising the production after the final curtain.

Congratulations should be given to Mark Jones for his leadership and innovative thinking, and to all involved in this production including stage crew, technical crew, props, costumes and front of house for all their hard work in bringing this production to the stage, it was well worth it well done.

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