Having been looking forward to this performance for several weeks, I can honestly say that Director Ashley Harvey has delivered. Despite small stage, small audience, and small promotion, the theatre group, with such determination, brought about a supremely professional performance, as I’ve now come to expect from Mr. Harvey’s works.
Mr Alistair Nunn’s stage adaptation of this timeless novel was written with expertise. On stage, Mr Nunn as the Detective Sherlock Holmes holds himself with the heroism and dynamic mind that our hero should possess. Mr Edward Blagrove as Dr. John Watson displays the educated, friendly, gentleman as he browses and investigates this clever and almost impossible murder.
All members of this cast deserve a mention and praise in this performance. Members of the ensemble Grace Lockwood, George Readshaw, Olly Roy and Phil Weller are all equal in ability and delivery. Craig Finlay as Stapleton demonstrates great capability in his performance, as does Katherine Jones as Miss Stapleton who commands enraptured emotion among her audience. Mr Alex Nicholls and Mr. Edmund Caird performed their roles to perfection. Amazing admiration goes to Mr. Nathan Peter Grassi, who brings to life the part of the Hound, as the heart of the beast; he shows great skill as he gives the most terrifying creature the presence it deserves. Wayne Brown and Rachel Wilmshurst as Mr and Mrs Barrymore, of course cannot be forgotten, as well as Rob Stringer as they admirably performed their roles. Ms Cate Field as Laura Lyons gives a spectacular performance. Mr. Colin Burnie brings the cast to a full as he completely convinced me that he was his character, Frankland.
But who could forget the production crew who brought about the atmosphere and made the production of The Hound of the Baskervilles exactly what is ... a Success!