Enjoy a ride with Holmes

REVIEW: Old dog learns new tricks. The Hound of the Baskervilles, Waipukurau Little Theatre until April 8. Directed by Lindsey Bishop.

From the mires of Dartmoor, Lindsey Bishop brings the mystery of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic The Hound of the Baskervilles and the sheermayhem of the Canny and Nicholson adaptation to the Little Theatre ofWaipukurau in a play so cunning even the great Sherlock Holmes gets lost. Most readers will be familiarwith the intriguing Holmes tale— the detective and DrWatson are called to Dartmoor to solve the case of the Baskerville family and their fatal curse.

Now take the original story and have three sensational actors play all 16 characters. Add a backstage crew of six, some very clever set and costume design, throw inmarshland lighting, lots of smoke and a random tweet and it’s a recipe for chaos. But it’s chaos that is superbly delivered.

The youthful exuberance of Connor Hirst as he hilariously switches between the Lords Baskerville and various locals is perfectly balanced by the comedic timing of the dynamic duo, Owen Potter (Dr Watson and a yokel) and Edward CarltonHolmes, as not only the famous detective, but seven other people, including two couples.

Removing the fourth wall andmaking onlookers a part of the show is always a risk, but under Bishop’s direction it all happens so smoothly that the line between fact and fiction blurs.

In the end, there is nothing left but just sit back and enjoy the ride. This version of Hound is insane, reckless and charmingwrapped in a blanket of intrigue and nothing about it is elementary.

The perfect antidote to a dull autumn evening.