The Hound of the Baskervilles

Rarely in amateur theatre does one leave the theatre wishing the show were seen by a far greater audience - this well equipped bijou theatre holds just 86 seats.    This skilful adaptation by playwright Bob Hamilton - who played Dr Watson - of Conan Doyle's most famous novel was such an occasion.   

The wonderful innovative inclusion of puppetry and shadow puppetry to encapsulate the setting on Dartmoor worked beautifully.    Atmosphere reigned supreme throughout.    Puppetry designer and master Edd Mott was responsible for creating the puppets  and teaching the techniques to some of the company.   The puppets included a 17th century manor house, horse,  hounds and figures in silhouette (some of which moved) and large butterflies on handles used openly on stage.    Most spectacular was the enormous hound itself with red glowing eyes which appeared towards the end - the ferocious beast was constructed entirely from scrap metal and fabric.    The addition of sound and lighting effects were both superb, amply conveying its fearsomeness.

The sparsely furnished stage was used most imaginatively by the inspirational director Sandra Grant to represent Holmes' and Watson's  abode in Baker Street, a train to Dartmoor, the Baskerville home and the moor itself.    Everything technical in this play was meticulously thought out, practised and worked marvellously well.   The movement director Tracy Bargate had a great input and the intimate stage was used to its fullest effect.   The use of smoke together with the hesitant steps of those perilously crossing the moor brought the audience into the heart of the action.    I could not  conceive this working so well in a larger theatre with a proscenium arch.

Lighting and sound effects  in the capable hands of Stuart Yeatman and Alistair Lindsay were used to full effect and enhanced this atmospheric production.

Underpinning the superb acting generally were two mighty performances from Bob Hamilton as Watson and Don Brown as Holmes.   These two men inhabited rather than acted their roles;   Holmes, tall and lean, Watson shorter, fuller in figure.  One felt that Conan Doyle had these two particular actors in mind when he wrote this wonderful drama!

There was a certain amount of audience laughter at some of Holmes' deductions and at the stage props which "magically" appeared borne by members of the cast!    Perhaps Conan Doyle would have resented this;  who can say - but the audience lapped it up!

A host of talented actors fully played their parts in supporting roles:-

Brian Innes ............. Sir Charles Baskerville, Perkins, Giles Franklin

                                     Authoritative and charismatic

Michael May ........... Dr Mortimer 

                                     Extremely believable as a Doctor, serious with very clear diction.

Michael J Leopold .. Sir Henry Baskerville

                                 Conveyed the upper crust authority throughout, another with good diction.

Terence Mayne ...... Mr Barrymore

                                    Convincing as the archetypal domestic servant with a heart of gold.

 Linda McMahon ..... Mrs Barrymore, Mrs Mortimer, Mrs Hudson

                                    Played three very different characters with assurance and charisma.

Olly Reeves ........... Jack Stapleton

                                    Relished his part as the villain

Sophie Toyer ......... Beryl Stapleton

                                    Made much of this small but important role.

Victoria Brooks ...... Laura Lyons 

                                    A small role well handled

There were no weak links in this riveting performance by DDOS.   The company were well cast and faithful to the original concept, given a few changes of name and character by the adaptor Bob Hamilton.   Diction by every actor was totally distinct and the spooky atmosphere was incredibly real and often sinister.    Costumes by Shaun Hughes were accurate and fitted well.

The production team, full company and DDOS can and should be extremely proud of this superb production.    As the late great comedian Tommy Trinder might have said to the audience ..... "You lucky people!"

Finally, I would like to thank the company for the warm and attentive welcome Sue and I received and we both enjoyed the informative  backstage tour after the performance.   DDOS have again proved beyond doubt that amateur (in theory) theatre is in robust health. 

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