The Hound Of The Baskervilles recycles a method of staging taken from the Playhouse's excellent adaptation of 'Travels With My Aunt' performed a couple of years ago.
Four male actors take on all the roles, both male and female, remaining on stage the whole time and continually swapping and sharing characters and narrating the story.
Hence, we have three Doctor Watsons who finish one another's sentences and interact independently with Holmes. This makes for a very entertaining staging of the story which makes massive demands on the actors.
Fortunately, they are all up to the job and cope with the sudden changes of accent and manner exceedingly well. The Dracula-like Granville Saxton brings much humour to the part of Sherlock Holmes without detracting from the suspense.
The play opens to a scene covered with books and the other paraphernalia of Holmes and Watson's life. As with many Playhouse productions, the set is very versatile with bits sliding in, out, up, down as required, though the clutter means that the bleakness and remoteness of the moors is somewhat lost.
The live action is enhanced - perhaps unnecessarily - with a video projection on the back of the stage to give atmosphere and the illusion of movement.
You may be familiar with the story of the Hound of the Baskervilles, but you will still find suspense and surprises in this excellent adaptation which captures the spirit of the Sherlock Holmes stories without resorting to cliche. All in all, a very enjoyable and engaging experience.
Check out other theatre reviews by Adrian
Nottingham Playhouse
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