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The Hound Of The Baskervilles, Wimborne Drama, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne

ARTHUR Conan Doyle’s story of murder and evil on Dartmoor is a gripping book that allows the reader’s imagination to run riot. Sadly, on this showing at least, it does not transfer easily to the stage.

Part of the problem lies in the constant changes between Sherlock Holmes’ Baker Street home, Dartmoor and Baskerville Hall. Clearly it was not practical to attempt so many changes, therefore Baker Street remained constantly downstage, well depicted by Holmes’ armchair and various possessions, while the rest of the set was largely black, with a rear rostrum and a large, albeit cleverly used picture frame for everything else – and thus a little tedious on the eye.

Secondly, although there were some strong performances, in particular Stuart Glossop as an excellent Dr Watson, Tony Parkinson’s Sherlock Holmes was at times inaudible and he also tended to speak far too quickly to be heard clearly. He also seemed unsure of his lines and managed more than once to cause confusion by saying such things as “the woman masquerading as his wife is, in fact, his wife.”

Then there were those times when what should have been truly terrifying moments resulted instead in laughter from the audience. Sorry, I wanted to like the production but…

Linda Kirkman 

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