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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles featuring the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his sidekick Dr. Watson is typical of the period in its storytelling, perfect for an over the top comic treatment. This version features all the usual conceits of the genre, including people playing multiple characters, both male and female, with quick costume and hair changes. The production is well directed for mayhem, locations are almost instantaneously changed, and set pieces are used for multiple scenes. But it is actually possible to follow the storyline, zany as it is. The cast, Patrick Noonan as Sherlock Holmes and others, Michael Daly as Dr. Watson and others, and Tom Patterson as Henry Baskerville and others, all give fine comic performances. Noonan has the widest variety of roles; besides our hero, who is in disguise several times during the show, he plays the villain's sister and others. Patterson plays many members of the Baskerville clan, as well as lots of plebeian types. He is also called upon to appear partially naked to the waist and trouser-less, appealingly. Daly primarily plays Watson but also anchors multiple scenes as the others come and go and go and come. Director Gavin Cameron-Webb paces the two short acts for laugh out loud hilarity. At the beginning of the second act there is a review of the mayhem of the first act. The pacing is rapid, but if they could take the pace up to break-neck I think it would be funnier. Scenic designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay have given him a wonderfully vivid world to work in, and costume designer Martha Bromelmeier provides authentic period attire as well as quick change garb as required. Lighting design by Deanna Fitzgerald is varied and highly effective, quite an achievement when there is complete chaos on stage most of the time. Stage manager Roy Johns does exemplary work. The Hound of the Baskervilles is a study in mirth and merriment. Florida Studio Theatre presents The Hound of the Baskervilles through August 2, 2015, at the Keating Theater 1241 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. For tickets and performance information, please call the box office at (941) 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org. Cast: Directed by Gavin Cameron-Webb
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