Murder! Vicious animals! Plots, intrigue, and inheritances! A great time had by all!
If this seems like an unlikely combination, then come check out Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by award-winning playwriter Ken Ludwig, playing at Virginia Rep’s Hanover Tavern. This lively and delightful production directed by Paul Takács turns a scary and serious Sherlock Holmes story into a fun-filled exploration of this classic tale of one of America’s favorite sleuths.
In Baskerville, Sherlock Holmes (Travis Williams) and faithful sidekick Dr. Watson (William Vaughn) set out to explore the mysterious death of Charles Baskerville, who died of natural causes but under questionable circumstances. Holmes and Watson investigate the role of a terrifying hound, a “man of mystery” roaming the moors, an escaped convict, a shadow in the hallway, a missing boot, and a possible romantic liaison or two.
This complex web of characters and plot weaves in, out, and sideways in this five-actor play, where the majority of characters are played by Actor 1 (Scott Jones), Actor 2 (Irene Kuykendall), and Actor 3 (Joel White). This brilliantly directed and orchestrated storyline is an elaborate dance comprised of timing, comedic performance, costume, role, simple yet effective set, lighting, and sound. Where confusion would’ve reigned under multiple and rapid conversions and switches, this team of superbly talented actors created a seamless, delightful, entertaining, and even astonishing development of story, plot, and character.
Baskerville is also a welcome but not-too-serious counterpoint for those who are ready to move into more substantive topics from the holiday diet of pie and jingle bells; judging by the reaction of the audience, the show was a complimentary change of pace during the holiday season.
Check out Baskerville now through February 4. Your whole family will be glad you did! For showtimes and tickets, visit VirginiaRep.org.
