Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles: Mount Grace Priory

The star of Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s adaptation of Conan Doyle’s ever-popular tale was undoubtedly the impressive setting of Mount Grace Priory – its ruined walls catching the last of the day’s sun. And, arriving early, the audience came well prepared to make the most of the evening, picnicking on the neatly-trimmed lawn and awaiting the appearance of the fiendish Dartmoor hound.

Greeting them was an able and amiable company that gave pace to this rather odd and much-altered version of the story. Sir Charles Baskerville has unexpectedly died. Murder is suspected, but so too the curse of the legendary hound. Holmes is soon on the scene along with Doctor Watson and his new wife, their honeymoon rudely interrupted.

James Elmes lends just the right amount of smug confidence to his well-projected portrayal of Holmes, and Clara Edmonds is the epitome of domestic efficiency as Mrs Mortimer, the Baskerville housekeeper, herself not above suspicion. Marcus Churchill effectively multi-tasks as honest Jack Stapleton; Scottish Constable Crabbe; and the irascible landowner, Babcock, who is busily employed setting traps to keep trespassers from his land.

What was missing, however, was a sense of mystery and foreboding in what was a tongue-in-cheek, at times almost pantomimic, version of the story. A designer would also have added a much-needed sense of style to the somewhat awkward and unimaginative set. But the two hours passed pleasantly enough on one of those all too rare occasions – a fine summer’s evening.

Laurence Sach