The Hound of the Baskervilles

Having heard about a recent, local to me performance of this spoof version of Conan Doyle’s classic, I was really looking forward Harleston Players staging the production. With a cast of seven playing the fourteen characters, the timing and flow of this hilarious version requires all the cast working as one to deliver the non-stop comedy moments at a relentless pace. I am pleased to say that the whole cast did this and more, I would not like to guess the amount of work and rehearsing that had been put in to get the performance to this level.

The backstage crew were worked just as hard, aside from 2 ever present pieces of set either side of the stage, to give a Dartmoor setting, the crew were on and off the stage, sometimes at a frantic pace, assisted by the cast, with various doors, a bed, desk and various other items to quicky change from Holmes’ office, onto Dartmoor, then Baskerville Hall, and back again- in between throwing props to the cast as they navigated this wonderfully funny production- a big well done to all involved back stage. This was led by Jake Hithersay, who was also the named character Stage Manager.

The play opens with all the cast introducing themselves to the audience. Two members of the cast who had one part was Sara Curtis, as Holmes, and Barry Givens, as Watson. Both had excellent rapport between them, Watson opening by saying he had more script that Holmes, much to Holmes’ disdain. This set the tone between the two throughout for some very funny moments, especially when Watson fails to recognise Holmes each time he appears in various scenes in some very thinly veiled disguises. Barry had a huge amount of script and comedy to deliver, and I really enjoyed his mischievous Watson.

Sara, as Holmes,’ suffers a panic attack towards the end of act one, only to be saved by playing her one of her favourite tunes to sing along to. At the opening of Act Two, Sara announces that she is disgruntled at some rude social media posts regarding her performance lacking pace. Sara then orders the production to run act one again, but this time at breakneck speed (Which was about 10 minutes!) What followed was comedy at its best, this had the audience in stitches as everyone tried to keep up with props, set, timings, costume changes, and script- vaudeville in style and wonderful to watch.

Mary Keeble was superb as Sir Charles and Sir Henry, dead pan comedy at its best and brilliant comic timing, especially as the family portraits were introduced, all requiring a different facial expression from Mary from behind a picture frame.

I do not know how she made some of the costume changes, but Solidad Stangward, as Stapleton, and his sister, Cecile, somehow managed it, hilariously puffing out of breath during the said running of Act one for a second time. Matthew Newman was also very funny as Butler Mr Barrymore, and his wife Mrs Barrymore, switching from one voice to another. Matthew also added in the role of Slasher Seldon with his imaginary horse. Martin Sudain was also busy as Physician Mortimer, a Cabbie, Yokel, and a guard.

This play requires all the cast and crew to work as one unit, one mistake and the frantic pace, comedy and timing would all be out of kilter-everyone was on top form, and the audience appreciated the energy and quality of the production. It was an extremely entertaining and uplifting evening, the perfect tonic as we work our way through the cold winter’s nights. My congratulations to Director David Cumming and thank you to all at Harleston Players.

 

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