The Hound of the Baskervilles , The Dukes, Lancaster
Production photos : review : press release
Like most of the population I've heard of the Hound and know the story. I've also been to several outdoor performances by the Dukes in Williamson Park. I have to say that I was disappointed on this occasion - the reasons will become clear.
The story: The Baskervilles are English aristocracy and seem to be cursed by a huge hound which kills off the title holder. Sherlock Holmes is called to investigate.
In this adaptation, by simon Corble, the scene is set by the actors playing a group of rustic amateurs who act out the story on a stage below the Williamson memorial. This has a light-hearted almost comedy atmosphere. There are helium-filled balloons, singers, stilt walker and Punch and Judy show. The story unfolds with members of the cast including Watson and Holmes mingling with the audience. This is a very refreshing touch. The explanation of the background to the story is amusing and holds the attention of the audience.
Holmes is a self-important rather pompous character in this adaptation, filled with a sense of his own ability and worth. Watson is good-natured and always seems to have a smile on his face. His use of his stick as a prop, pointer etc., is worth watching!
The action now moves to the top of Williamson park, where the memorial becomes Baskerville hall. The story is somewhat convoluted from now on. You have to listen very carefully if you do not want to loose the plot. There are many exchanges where the meaning was unclear, although if you miss them something does not fall into place later.
The next scene is a good example, taking place in a grassy hollow below the memorial itself. This serves as a location on the moors, where several interactions take place, so the location is serving as several scenes one after the other without any break. This is difficult for the audience to follow because there are no visual or auditory 'signposts'. Unless you have listened very carefully you don't really know who the characters are and where they fit into the story.
At the end of each scene a member of the production staff blows a whistle to let the audience know that the action has finished and they should now move on to the next location!
We now move back to the top of the park in front of the memorial. Again, attention is required to follow the plot. The adaptation makes a 'green' point where Stapleton the naturalist presents a specimen butterfly to Sir Henry Baskerville, commenting that it is extremely rare. Sir Henry replies 'Every rarer now!' Stapleton continues that the creature has no sense of its own beauty or existence which is countered by his sister. This adds nothing to the story and one questions why it was included.
The maid's performance here is spirited and animated, adding a lot to the scene. After the interval the action resumes in the same location, at which point Mrs Barrymore gives an excellent performance after returning from the moor in a trance.
Action moves now to the Dell, a superb outdoor theatre location, set it what appears to be an old quarry, with fixed wooden benches for all the audience. This is the longest walk, but well worth the trek. The atmosphere is exciting, and when the escaped convict is chased by the hound, you hear the sound move the full length of the area, probably 100 yards or more, accompanied by movements in the trees and bushes. The point where he is attacked by the hound is gripping.
His body then falls from the top of real cliffs to the ground below - an effect which could not be equalled in any indoor location.
The final scene is back in the grassy hollow near the memorial.
The trees obscured the view for part of the audience who may not see the hound, although those who do see only a dark outline. I was surprised that its red flaming eyes were not evident at some point in the performance.
This year there were no seats for the audience except in the Dell, after a three and a half hour performance I needed a rest! Where had the seating of previous years gone? The park offers many excellent locations none of which were used this year although this did mean that one was never far from the toilets. The acting was excellent and the whole evening passed off very smoothly and professionally.
My own feeling was that I had seen a weak adaptation presented very well and that economies had been made wherever possible.
Alan Chard (Watcher)