Theatre Review - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

One of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous stories is perfectly lampooned by this ‘barking’ production of The Hound of the Baskervilles, adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the family curse linked to a hound that roams Dartmoor. Far from the serious Basil Rathbone version of Sherlock, we find our selves in a zany, farcical and fast paced production - bursting with gags and laughter.

Moira Valentine, Roger Liddle photo Mark Burden

Directed by Anna Dobson, the show runs in and out of reality with joyful ease, with actors speaking directly about the parts they are playing. The show is a little slow in places, but makes up for it by speeding headlong in others. With only three actors playing the array of parts, never have props, lighting and sound been more crucial to a show! Sarah Pearson on Costume and Chloe Parrack, Costume Assistant, clothed characters perfectly - some costumes needed to be (and were) removed seamlessly. Much applause must go to Tim Swinton on Lighting and Sound for setting the scene and keeping perfect comic timing with each noise created. The set, by Alan Potts and Tim Swinton, was simple and effective - with many of the larger creations being brought on and off centre stage by the actors, as scenes called for them. I confess I feel the ‘bed’ was done a disservice by not being used more, as it was ingeniously made. Kay Worswick and Sheila Bone fulfilled the daunting prospect of supplying the many props for this show, keeping the laughter flowing with fake bodies and bags of lamb.

Moira Valentine, Roger Liddle, Steve Robertson
photo Mark Burden

With such a small cast, all three must be commended for keeping the energy of the show going and remembering who they were at any one time. Moira Valentine played Yokel and Dr Watson; Steve Robertson was Sir Charles Baskerville, Mortimer, Sir Henry Baskerville, Cabbie, Yokel and Wise Yokel; and Roger Liddle was Sherlock Holmes, Guard, Old Woman, Mad Yokel, Stapelton, Cecile, Barrymore and Mrs Barrymore. Steve Robertson had me in stitches with his west-country accents and costume-impaired Sir Henry. However, I was particularly impressed by Roger Liddle - not just for a flawless Sherlock, but also for managing to keep his breath as two of his other characters wrestled with each other between appearances of Sherlock in the final Act.

Moira Valentine, Steve Robertson, Roger Liddle
photo Mark Burden

This show is a lot of fun, if you liked the recent version of ‘The 39 Steps’ you’ll love this. Should you see it? Why, that’s elementary my dear reader!

Hound of the Baskervilles in on at the Peoples Theatre, runs until Saturday 30^th October.