Mar 5
Review: 'Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery' is a Brisk Two Hours of Fun
Joe Siegel READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Arthur Conan Doyle's popular novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles" has been given a comic spin by writer Ken Ludwig ("The Game's Afoot") for "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery." This is a silly but good-natured bit of fluff from Attleboro Community Theatre.
In 1891, London detective Sherlock Holmes (Patrick Murphy) and his loyal sidekick Dr. Watson (Alecco Panagopoulos in a scene-stealing performance) investigate the death of Charles Baskerville (Craig Whitford) on the grounds of his lavish country estate. Supposedly, a giant hound is responsible. The estate is near the Grimpen Mire, where anyone can sink to their death. Meanwhile, convicted murderer Selden has escaped from Dartmoor Prison and is hiding on the moor.
Holmes and Watson meet many bizarre individuals in their search for the truth, including a Shepherdess (Ruthie Withers), Baskerville's weird butler Barrymore (Patrick Keister) and his equally bizarre wife (Marissa Simas), and Sir Henry (Doug MacAskill), a brash but likable Texan who happens to be Charles' brother.
There is also Stapleton (Gregory Beagan), who is prone to wandering the fields with a butterfly net, his lovely wife Beryl (Stephanie Geddes), and Dr. Mortimer (Nicholas Sherbine), Charles' loyal friend.
Source: Jay Burns
The plot is a bit convoluted, but the twists and turns are engaging due to the polished direction by Philip Markella, as well as the vibrant acting from the cast. Many of the performers play multiple roles, and do it quite well. I especially enjoyed Alex Aponte as a manic hotel desk clerk as well as Falstaff in an operetta, Mark Carter as Scotland Yard's wily Inspector Lestrade and the menacing Hound, and Emily Lamarre in three roles: Nurse Malloy, Daisy, and Sir Hugo.
Murphy is a pure delight as the intrepid Holmes; he is flabbergasted by the crazy people he encounters. Murphy and Panagopoulos have terrific chemistry, and make an appealing team.
Tammy England's atmospheric set design establishes a mood of foreboding, along with the dry ice fog pumped onto the stage. There's also an amusing sight gag featuring actors holding up picture frames as Holmes and Watson try to piece together the mystery.
"Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery" contains no deep insights into human nature, and doesn't explore the psychological issues of the characters. It's merely a high-spirited romp into absurdity for two hours. That's good enough.
"Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery runs through March 17. Attleboro Community Theatre, 71 North Main St., Attleboro, MA. For tickets, call 508-226-8100 or visit www.attleborocommunitytheatre.net.
Joe Siegel has written for a number of other GLBT publications, including In newsweekly and Options.
