T H E A T E R G R O U P
MORE ’ S AFOOT ON THE MOORS THAN JUST A HOUND
The Hound of the Baskervilles springs into life onstage , chasing across the craggy English moors in hot pursuit of wicked wastrels and the cunning thievery of a neighbor who ’ s really a son and a sister who ’ s much more than that . Master crime writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ’ s timeless classic and its characters , the great detective Sherlock Holmes with his unflappable sidekick , Dr . Watson , have never been livelier or seen quite like this before . Paul Glaser ’ s adjustments to Canny and Nicholson ’ s adaptation are vibrant , comprising shrewdly portioned doses of clowning , gymnastics , outlandish shenanigans , and unfailing wit . by Marinell Haegelin
Sir Henry is in high , good form when he and Watson arrive at the Stapleton ’ s residence and meet Jack and his sister . In no time , it ’ s crystal clear that Sir Henry is smitten with the sister and vice-versa . Jack ’ s displeasure is obvious . And so , days dawdle by ; Watson , fancying there ’ s more than rocks on the moors , investigates . Unexpectedly , he finds none other than the man himself , and in disguise . Seems Sherlock ’ s sleuthing has detected a culprit ; indeed , Holmes ’ s strategy is to catch him red-handed . Piece of cake , right . Until the royal cock-up out amongst the slime and tors that leads to phosphorus and rope and fortunes for the fortunate .
It ’ s a good friend that travels to London seeking help and insurance against maleficence toward the next heir , but such is Dr . Mortimer ’ s task . Sir Charles has fallen to the dastardly old curse , he explains to Holmes , and Sir Henry , being last in line and fresh off the boat from Canada , must be protected . The young fool has already ignored an anonymous forewarning , plus having things disappear and reappear at his hotel . He ’ s hellbent on living at Baskerville estate in County Devon edged by the wild , rugged heather and slimeand-rock-strewn moors of Dartmoor . Ever the logical thinker , Sherlock dismisses Mortimer ’ s supernatural folly , sending Watson to keep Sir Henry company . Nothing ’ s quite normal at Baskerville : there ’ s an escaped convict lurking around the region , for starters ; the neighbors Stapleton request their company for supper almost before they arrive ; and then Watson catches Mr . Barrymore , the butler , under cover of night parked at a window playing hide-and-seek with a candle facing the moors . Trapped , Barrymore confesses it ’ s the Missus ’ s brother that ’ s the escapee , and it ’ s them that ’ s feeding him . Throughout these affairs , Watson faithfully keeps Sherlock informed .
Director Paul Glaser , winner of the Rolf Mares 2023 Best Director award for The
Pride , wanted an uplifting play following the pandemic years . “ Quirky and funny … in the same category as last Season ’ s 39
Steps …[ A ] nd this is a well-known story .” As in any play with multiple locations , maintaining its fluidity is challenging ; some scenes have scant dialogue , then switch to a completely different location / character / costume . Glaser wanted to respect the seriousness of Conan Doyle ’ s timeless tale and have fun without sliding into slapstick , which he took into consideration when casting .
The play ’ s blocking / onstage movements by the actors was worked out in advance at ETH ’ s stage-sized rehearsal area before moving into the theater . Adjustments were then made onstage as technical aspects were added . The original Actor 1 , Eifion Ad Cadno , had an accident to his leg at this particular juncture ; after spending two and a half days driving Cadno to doctors , et al ., Glaser recast the role in London , plus worked out all the technical aspects — lighting , sound effects , sound design , music , et cetera . Charlie Tripp flew in with nine days to prepare ; Assistant
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