THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

 

The Hound of the Baskervilles

cut to the chase...

Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch

31st October 2012

 

 

The Queen's renowned rep company cut to the chase... have chosen a loving send-up of both the agelessly popular literary creation Sherlock Holmes, and of themselves in this creative spoof adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. 

 

The familiar story is told by just three actors and a musician, each of whom are frantically running around, moving props and changing costumes as they portray all of the characters in the spooky tale.  Slipping in and out of character throughout, we also see moments of the actor's own supposed reactions to the production - Greg Last's fear of the scary story, Jonathan Markwood's diva-like reaction to a derogatory tweet.

 

Some well executed sections to bring out touches of humour - I especially enjoyed the top-speed reenactment of the whole of Act 1 at the top of Act 2.  The cast were  mostly well organised and wholly committed throughout, and the madcap comedy was well maintained while keeping remarkably close to the events in the real story.  I think anyone without a prior knowledge of the peril inflicted upon the house of Baskerville may have struggled to keep up with the intricacies of the plot, but it wouldn't have spoilt the enjoyment of the show.

 

Perhaps not quite as slick or impressive as some of the previous excellent cut to the chase... offerings this year, but undoubtedly entertaining silliness nonetheless.