Friday October 24, 2008
A Pretty Big Dog
Rob and I spent the evening at Richmond Theatre for a version of the Hound of the Baskervilles, with Peter Egan and Philip Franks. This cast, (and my love of Sherlock Holmes), meant I was thoroughly looking forward to it - but really it was.... not very good. I am left thinking I cannot put my finger on why, as the cast was strong and the staging interesting - Rob's brief synopsis was poor direction and tacky set. During the first Act, I noticed Rob was asleep - normally my reaction to this would be to crossly wake him up - but I thought 'no - it's just not worth it - he probably needs his sleep more than this ...'
It was not so bad that I wish I had not gone. There were some interesting aspects of the staging which used projection and gauze techniques to try and create the rather challenging backdrops, since the book's plot revolves around the moor and Grimpen Mire. But for all that, it was not good. I was left with the impression that the staging and tiny cast were adapted more for a fringe production than a mainstream theatrical tour. The projection of the turning pages of the novel were a delight - but only for the first few minutes - after which it became a rather tedious artifice.
I see that it had the same director as "The Woman in Black", which I saw in the West End some time ago - this was also a Victorian-style gothic horror story from the 1983 novel, by Susan Hill. The staging was similar - sharing the same type of challenging external scenes - but "better" I would say.
The Hound has a website for the Tour - which I would say is better than production (!) - and I feel I must offer here some previous reviews of this production:
- ''One of the cleverest piece of theatre you will ever see'' [British Theatre Guide]
- ''Excellent. Highly enjoyable'' [Daily Telegraph]
- ''Fiendishly clever'' [Spectator]
- ''Gripping theatricality'' [Sunday Express]
- ''The most stunning theatrical production of the year. Takes your breath away'' [The Stage]
Posted by Christina at 11:57 PM. Category: Art and Culture
