The Hound Of The Baskervilles

‘The Hound Of The Baskervilles’ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was written in 1903 and has been adapted for the stage many times. However TTC’s adaption of this familiar tale is like none other I have seen before.

The open stage is quite stark with a rear elevation to add a different level and a back projection screen, which shows us still pictures to denote the changes of scenes, be it Holmes’ rooms in Baker Street or the bleak Dartmoor. Not actually on stage but in a cosy corner is an armchair, table and standard lamp. Various props and clothes rails are visible on either side of the stage. 

The ‘cosy corner’ we find out, is for a narrator (Fiona Young) who interjects during the proceedings. She was sitting quite close to the audience but I’m sure those at the back of the theatre would have had to strain to hear what was being said! What is unusual about this production is that there is not just one Dr. Watson but four, (Tim Molyneux, James Marshall, Kate Marshall and James Klech) all dressed identically. Not only that, they each take on multiple different characters by a change of coat or hat. It takes exceptional acting skills to be able to switch from one to the other and strangely enough it worked! Sherlock himself (Matt Penfold) was more or less constant but did have one other character, a Miss Stapleton.

For TTC’s first staged production after such a difficult time, I have nothing but admiration for director Helen Thorpe and her production team to have been able to make this a believable interpretation of such a well-known story. 

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