Barking mad production produces howls of delight
No shaggy dog story this but a supernatural occasion of comic proportions – this is Original Theatre’s successful reworking of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective story, now in Bath on its UK tour.
Slapstick meets silliness meets madcap farce in a new twist on the spooky tale featuring super sleuths Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes. Without a doubt it is barking mad.
Every comic theatrical device you’ve ever seen, from a silent screen style train journey to breaches of the fourth wall – comic knowing asides to the audience – are presented here in wildly exaggerated form.
This new production adapted for the stage by Steven Canny and John Nicholson for Peepolykus, and directed on tour by Tim Jackson, is a whodunnit for all ages.
Terrific scenery with an atmospheric moonlit Baskerville Hall positioned high above the stage sets the scene for the mysterious events that take place on the Grimpen Moor. Hounds howl, the bog gurgles and we’re all set for an howlarious show.
Holmes and Watson are asked to investigate the gruesome death of Sir Charles Baskerville. The pair set out to unravel the rumours of a cursed giant hound on the moors thought to be responsible, and to save the life of the next Sir Charles, the last remaining heir to the family pile.
Just three actors play numerous characters in a quick fire succession of changing wigs and accents and – in an unforeseen opening night twist – there’s even a change in the main roles.
Niall Ransome, billed as Dr Watson, becomes Sherlock, replacing actor Jake Ferretti who is indisposed, while Fred Gray takes over as Dr Watson. Serena Manteghi continues in her original role as Sir Henry. Got it? Not that it matters as they all seamlessly morph in and out these and other characters in dizzying succession.
Manteghi is exuberantly funny in all her many roles (although the speed at which these are played sometimes renders her a little difficult to understand), but her depiction of three ‘subtly different’ Yokels is hilarious.
Ransome is good as the hapless Watson to Gray’s superior Holmes, with a running gag that he fails to recognise his boss each time Holmes turns up disguised as a hermit.
All three are adept at physical comedy and there are humorous sinkings into the mire, interludes of crazy tango dancing and a farcical attempted resuscitation of a corpse.
Following the interval, a Twitter feed ‘complaint’ from a member of the audience that has supposedly gone viral, results in the whole of the first act being replayed at breakneck speed.
It was a letter in the original but technology moves on. Phew! The audience howls with laughter.
Finally the mystery is solved to everyone’s satisfaction, the detectives return to their office and the show ends on a note of terrible dog puns.
Once again the audience howls with delight and brays its approval before heading out into the night still laughing.
The Hound of the Baskervilles, produced by the Original Theatre Company and Octagon Theatre Bolton, is showing at Theatre Royal Bath until Saturday (January 29). Call the box office on 01225 448844 or go online at