After being quite frightened as a child by a TV adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles, it was assuaging to watch the madcap capers of the Original Theatre Company in their brilliantly farcical and energetic overhaul of the Sherlock Holmes mystery at Salisbury Playhouse.
Directed on tour by Tim Jackson, the classic Arthur Conan-Doyle detective tale is hilariously deconstructed on stage in Lotte Wakeham’s acclaimed production.
Starring Jake Ferretti as Sherlock Holmes, Serena Manteghi as Sir Henry and Niall Ransome as Dr Watson, the trio of actors are fabulously funny as they juggle numerous other characters, manic changes of scenery and costumes, whilst drifting out of the play to interact with the audience on a number of occasions.
One of the highlights comes after the interval, when Ferretti is affronted by an alleged negative Tweet and insists on reenacting the entire first act in a brilliantly conceived and energetic fast-forward recap of what has gone before.
It was an utter joy to be in the theatre, laughing uncontrollably at the daft shenanigans of almost pantomime proportions. This play is the perfect tonic to any pandemic blues you may be experiencing and I challenge anyone not to leave the theatre with a smile on their face!
The Hound of the Baskervilles continues at Salisbury Playhouse until Saturday, November 20. For tickets visit wiltshirecreative.co.uk or telephone 01722 320333.
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