BWW Reviews: Rep's HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Filled with Thrills, Humor and Epic Staging

I love it when a production manages to actually make me giddy with its technical aspects whether that be the gorgeous set, the intricate staging or the storytelling lights and sound. It appeals to the theater geek in me. So, Dear Readers, you can imagine how much I was in geek heaven at the Seattle Rep's current production of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" which managed all four of those elements. And when coupled with a fresh fun new script and equally fun cast, this new production makes for a chilling romp through the world of Sherlock Holmes.

Based on the original story by Arthur Conan Doyle, the world premiere of this new adaptation by local theatrical juggernauts David Pichette and R. Hamilton Wright tells the unsettling tale of Sir Henry (Connor Toms), the newly inherited Lord of Baskerville Manor and the unfortunate target of the curse of the manor, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Sir Henry's not one to be taken in by ghost stories but his friend and neighbor Mortimer (Basil Harris) convinces him to seek out the aid of London's foremost detective, Sherlock Holmes (Darragh Kennan) and his partner Watson (Andrew McGinn) to get to the bottom of the situation. Holmes being entirely too busy for such a trivial matter sends Watson back with Sir Henry to Baskerville Manor to keep and eye on things and to send him reports on what he discovers which includes the Barrymores (Rob Burgess and Marianne Owen), servants who are guarding a secret, the gruff and slightly dangerous neighbor Frankland (Charles Leggett) and the scattered but likable naturist Stapleton (Quinn Franzen) and his beautiful but haunted sister Beryl (Hana Lass). Not to mention all the mysterious figures that keep popping up around the area. Who is friend and who is foe and who will be the next victim of the Hound?!?

As I mentioned the technical aspects of the show are astounding and largely due to one designer, L.B. Morse who is credited with the set, the lighting and the wonderful projections used throughout the show. Now my readers know my disdain for projections when they're overused but Morse manages to tiptoe that fine line of projection overload and mostly only uses them to advance the story. And his multi-layered yet simplistic set was not only gorgeous but also managed to wow as it moved to reshape the varying contours of the countryside. Add into that the eerie and thrilling music and sound design from Paul James Prendergast and the two have created the perfect world to embody a classic Holmes Mystery. And this classic is only done honor by Pichette and Wright's adaptation and glorious staging by director Allison Narver as they effortlessly weave us in and out of the characters and exposition and lead us by the nose down whatever path they choose (red herring-ish or not). Oh and special kudos to the backstage crew as this is a highly complex and technical show and they managed it skillfully.

The ensemble is superb and appears to be having entirely too much fun. Kennan's Holmes is more along the lines of the brilliant but damaged and crazy variety and works perfectly with the humor and quick wit of the script. McGinn makes for a brilliant counterpart as he blusters and puffs at each of Holmes idiosyncrasies yet still retains that layer of affection for the man. Toms is instantly likable and sympathetic as the victim of circumstance and shows off tremendous presence and power in the role. Franzen beautifully manages a kind of unassuming air as does Lass making their stronger moments all the more intense. And I have to mention Burgess and Owen who turn in the most hilariously creepy servants ever and who elicited anticipatory titters from the audience on every entrance.

All in all the show wins on so many levels that you can't help but enjoy yourself. So if you enjoy a chilling tale or a stirring Holmes mystery or even just a good bit of theatrical wizardly then this show will amount to nothing but two and a half hours of fun.

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" performs at the Seattle Rep through December 15th. For tickets or information contact the Seattle Rep box office at 206-443-2222 or visit them online at www.seattlerep.org.

Photo credit: Chris Bennion

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