REVIEW
Hound of the Baskervilles
Presented by Southend Drama Society
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
WED 6th - SAT 9th November 2019
Hound of the Baskervilles
Presented by Southend Drama Society
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
WED 6th - SAT 9th November 2019
Something spooky on the Devon moors
The Hound of the Baskervilles, based on the novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by Tim Kelly, is a familiar one. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on the moors, with the footprints of a giant hound nearby, the blame is placed on a family curse. It is up to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson to solve the mystery of the legend, before the heir, Sir Henry, comes to an equally gruesome end. Whilst the hound terrorises the countryside, suspicion falls on sinister servants, butterfly collectors, ladies in distress and an escaped convict.
On entering the Dixon, I was surprised to see the look of an old style theatre. Proscenium arch type curtains that parted to reveal a magnificent full box set designed by Vanessa Acton. There was even a family portrait on the wall of a naval officer with a dogs head, a nice touch. The curtains constantly opened and closed. I didn’t think that was possible in the studio.
The play began as a traditional costume drama of the Edwardian period. Since the advent of Sherlock on TV, audiences expect a modern production rather than deerstalkers and smoking jackets. However, when I saw Dr Watson reading from an invisible letter, that someone had forgotten to bring on, it was obvious that Southend Drama were not only sending up the play, but also old style amateur dramatics. When the housekeeper Mrs Barrymore turned up looking like the creature from the black lagoon complete with monobrow to match her monotone voice, she demanded that the sound man play her entry music. It was obvious that the Director, Bill Peel had his own vision of Am Dram.
Charlie Mellor entered through the French windows in his Basil Rathbone gear, and gave us a rather grand and intense Sherlock Holmes, analysing every word, and action. Dr Watson, well played by Danny Pavitt, turned into a lush, constantly emptying the drinks decanter whilst lusting after the ladies. Forget the ‘Me Too,’ movement. Additionally, there was a nice, sparky performance by Sophie Doherty, which also involved some physical comedy. Whenever on stage she was fluttering her eyelashes at Dr Watson or trying to edge as close to him as possible. That is when she was not swigging gin with the weird housekeeper. The Baskerville heir Sir Henry (Mark Gopal) had a good American accent, however, he was a little quiet, but that might have been first night nerves.
The hilarious performance of the evening was Simon Jones as the manic butterfly collector, complete with a net that looked like old bloomers. He was dressed like Indiana Jones, and played like a demented Frank Spencer with a crippling non pc stutter. The audience were in stitches.
All the cast did well, but special mention must also go to the unnamed actor playing Seldon, the Notting Hill murderer. He flashed on and off for approximately 5 seconds, looking like Max Wall, whilst Sir Henry only noticed someone was there, when he’d left.
There were lots of dramatic sound effects that jolted you from your seats. Loud claps of thunder; lights went off and on, howling dogs, screams and, when murder or death was mentioned there were music effects as the actors stopped in their tracks. At one point an actor even told the sound man to turn the noise off.
The whole production was tongue in cheek, with a plot that has more holes than Blackburn Lancashire. However, the audience thoroughly enjoyed an amusing evening. The pace was a little slow, but as it was only the first night, by the end of the run, when the cast have all settled in, it will be even more hilarious.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The production continues at the Dixon Studio until 9th November.
Thursday – Saturday - Evening 7.30pm, Matinee Saturday at 2.30pm
Box office: 01702 351135 www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Fri & Sat £12.00 / Weds & Thurs + Sat matinee £10.00
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call the box office to buy fee-free.
On entering the Dixon, I was surprised to see the look of an old style theatre. Proscenium arch type curtains that parted to reveal a magnificent full box set designed by Vanessa Acton. There was even a family portrait on the wall of a naval officer with a dogs head, a nice touch. The curtains constantly opened and closed. I didn’t think that was possible in the studio.
The play began as a traditional costume drama of the Edwardian period. Since the advent of Sherlock on TV, audiences expect a modern production rather than deerstalkers and smoking jackets. However, when I saw Dr Watson reading from an invisible letter, that someone had forgotten to bring on, it was obvious that Southend Drama were not only sending up the play, but also old style amateur dramatics. When the housekeeper Mrs Barrymore turned up looking like the creature from the black lagoon complete with monobrow to match her monotone voice, she demanded that the sound man play her entry music. It was obvious that the Director, Bill Peel had his own vision of Am Dram.
Charlie Mellor entered through the French windows in his Basil Rathbone gear, and gave us a rather grand and intense Sherlock Holmes, analysing every word, and action. Dr Watson, well played by Danny Pavitt, turned into a lush, constantly emptying the drinks decanter whilst lusting after the ladies. Forget the ‘Me Too,’ movement. Additionally, there was a nice, sparky performance by Sophie Doherty, which also involved some physical comedy. Whenever on stage she was fluttering her eyelashes at Dr Watson or trying to edge as close to him as possible. That is when she was not swigging gin with the weird housekeeper. The Baskerville heir Sir Henry (Mark Gopal) had a good American accent, however, he was a little quiet, but that might have been first night nerves.
The hilarious performance of the evening was Simon Jones as the manic butterfly collector, complete with a net that looked like old bloomers. He was dressed like Indiana Jones, and played like a demented Frank Spencer with a crippling non pc stutter. The audience were in stitches.
All the cast did well, but special mention must also go to the unnamed actor playing Seldon, the Notting Hill murderer. He flashed on and off for approximately 5 seconds, looking like Max Wall, whilst Sir Henry only noticed someone was there, when he’d left.
There were lots of dramatic sound effects that jolted you from your seats. Loud claps of thunder; lights went off and on, howling dogs, screams and, when murder or death was mentioned there were music effects as the actors stopped in their tracks. At one point an actor even told the sound man to turn the noise off.
The whole production was tongue in cheek, with a plot that has more holes than Blackburn Lancashire. However, the audience thoroughly enjoyed an amusing evening. The pace was a little slow, but as it was only the first night, by the end of the run, when the cast have all settled in, it will be even more hilarious.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The production continues at the Dixon Studio until 9th November.
Thursday – Saturday - Evening 7.30pm, Matinee Saturday at 2.30pm
Box office: 01702 351135 www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Fri & Sat £12.00 / Weds & Thurs + Sat matinee £10.00
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call the box office to buy fee-free.
The Hound Of The Baskervilles is over 100 years old and has been adapted for stage and screen more than any other Sherlock Holmes story. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most enduring tale comes to the Dixon studio at the Palace theatre this November, performed by one of the most enduring drama societies; Southend Drama Society, which has been in existence for over 70 years! The production promises to make you jump and make you laugh, so if you’re looking for a thoroughly entertaining evening, get yourself there!
The show runs from Wednesday 6th until 9th November, with tickets at just £10 for Wednesday and Thursday evening and the Saturday matinee, and £12 for Friday and Saturday evening.
The show runs from Wednesday 6th until 9th November, with tickets at just £10 for Wednesday and Thursday evening and the Saturday matinee, and £12 for Friday and Saturday evening.
