Surely this is the most famous and best-loved of the Sherlock Holmes stories, which of course means that it has the best plot in the most effective setting.
“Avoid the moor in those hours of darkness when the powers of evil are exalted,” goes the advice in this tale of apparent supernatural events on Dartmoor near Baskerville Hall.
Atmosphere is all and this staging gives us plenty of it with sound and light effects, including a wonderfully sinister full moon and highly effective gunshots, plus seriously good acting from this team.
Robert Finlay, as Holmes, dominates every scene that he is in, perfectly portraying the arrogance, impatience occasional insouciance of the famous detective, aided well by his subservient foil, Dr Watson (Richard Chivers).
It’s a complicated plot and luckily for the audience, it’s played straight with no nudges or winks to the audience as can happen with period (1902!) thrillers.
Great acting, great costumes, great scenery, great plot and great effects; don’t avoid Larkhall in the hours of darkness, get down there and enjoy it.
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Reviewer: Philip Horton
Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted and directed by Louise Wallace and presented by the Rondo Theatre Company, is showing at the Rondo Theatre in Bath until Saturday 30th November.
For more information and tickets, visit the Rondo Theatre website.
