(Cover Photo: Jenny S. Lee as “Watson” with Aimee Doherty as “Holmes,” in a scene from "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, now playing at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA. until October 6, 2024. Photo Credit Maggie Hall)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer  

# 774-242-6724   

“Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it." 

                       - ("Sherlock Holmes") / Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Central Square Theater

Presents 

"THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES"

Written by Steven Canny & John Nicholson

Directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner 

Cast Includes: Aimee Doherty* as “Holmes,” Jenny S. Lee* as “Watson,” Sarah Morin* as “Sir Henry.” Understudy - Lee Mikeska Gardner*

Additional Creative Team:

Scenic & Properties Designer- Julia Wonkka; Costumer Designer - Leslie Held; Lighting Designer - John R. Malinowski; Sound Designer - David Bryan Jackson; Production Stage Manager - Brian M. Robillard*; Assistant Stage Manager - Melissa Smith; Lighting Supervisor - Matthew Breton; Technical Director - Wesley Scanlon.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)

Performances:

September 12, 2024 through October 6, 2024

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)

CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER, 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139

TICKETS:

# 617-576-9278

https://www.centralsquaretheater.org/shows-events/season-tickets/

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Central Square Theater in Cambridge has staged a witty, fast-paced comedy coming out of a rather unlikely source in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s  "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" which comes just in time as a Halloween spooky season treat. 

The trio of performers (Aimee Doherty, Jenny S. Lee and Sarah Morin) each take turns portraying a plethora of characters with costume changes that occasionally occur in the blink of an eye.

The set is minimal but is offset by a clever use of sound effects and lighting. 

This adaptation of "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" was written by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, and was originally performed at The Duchess Theatre in London in 2007. 

Having since been staged in the UK, Canada and the US, in this adaptation just the three actors perform roughly 15 characters. 

Almost immediately at the outset, comparisons to the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” will happen and justly so. 

It doesn’t mean it greatly suffers from this comparison – but where “Abridged” had all of the Bard’s catalog to work with, "BASKERVILLES" is a singular Holmes adventure and therefore somewhat limiting. 

Even how the Two-Act farce opens and concludes its first act is quite reminiscent of “Abridged.” 

If the writers had attempted to work with all of the famed detective’s adventure stories, it may have proved more challenging and amusing. 

Yet this is not a fault of the trio of performers who are exemplary in their combined effort to play Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1901 novel for laughs. 

In point of fact, under the direction of Lee Mikeska Gardner, the cast does a magnificent job in making each character portrayed distinctive and, above all else, funny.

There is equal parts great enthusiasm and fine camaraderie on display here.

(Photo: Aimee Doherty as “Miss Stapleton” with Sarah Morin as “Sir Henry” in a scene from "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, now playing at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA. until October 6, 2024. Photo Credit Maggie Hall)

Anyone having seen the multiple movie adaptations of "BASKERVILLES" (including arguably the most famous starring Basil Rathbone as detective "Sherlock Holmes") each one is based on this third of four crime novels by Doyle and most fans will be able to follow along with this latest incarnation of the mystery. 

As the spooky tale (at least spooky until now) begins, wealthy landowner Sir Charles Baskerville (played by Sarah Morin, briefly) is found “murdered dead” in the park of his manor surrounded near the isolated, grim moor of Dartmoor, in the county of Devon, England. 

While seemingly having been felled by a heart attack, foul play is suspected. 

The deceased Baskerville’s best friend, Dr. Mortimer (also played by Morin), is convinced that Baskerville perished due to a ghastly, ghostly, demonic “hound” that haunts the moor. 

Dr. Mortimer travels to 221B Baker Street in London and asks famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Aimee Doherty) to investigate and prevent a similar fate from happening to the estate’s sole surviving heir, Sir Henry (Morin yet again). 

(Photo: Jenny S. Lee as “Watson” with Sarah Morin as “Sir Henry” in a tense moment from "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, now playing at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA. until October 6, 2024. Photo Credit Maggie Hall)

Doherty is incredibly adept at playing a variety of characters in  "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" outside of Holmes, however this also creates a slight problem. 

Sherlock Holmes aficionados know Holmes is a master of disguise. 

Yet, you never know if Doherty is playing Holmes playing somebody else OR if the character being portrayed stands apart from the ones being played by Holmes in disguise. 

A word of advice - don't try to overthink it (like I just did there).

All that aside, Doherty well conveys Holmes trademark skills of keen observation and intuition, even if only on a surface level for this farce. 

Jenny S. Lee is exceptional as Holmes faithful assistant, Dr. Watson, and is faced with lesser obstacles since Lee doesn’t play as many alternate characters as either Doherty or Morin. 

(Photo: Sarah Morin and Jenny S. Lee as amusing locals seen in "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, now playing at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA. until October 6, 2024. Photo Credit Maggie Hall)

Lee mentions from the start that Dr. Watson is actually the “lead” in "BASKERVILLES" (if one were “counting the lines”) yet, while this claim is said in jest, it is actually not as far "fetched" as it seems. 

As the story’s only other main protagonist, in this one particular case, Dr. Watson actually is featured more prominently throughout much of the story attempting to try and solve a case sane Holmes' guidance. 

There is also a noted strain on the relationship between Holmes and Watson which features prominently in the mystery.

Dr. Watson also bonds closely with Sir Henry Baskerville (Morin) whose mortality is at great risk being the late Sir Charles's nephew and closet living relative. 

Morin is quite skillful moving from character to character in the show. 

Morin and Lee enjoy many lighthearted comedy moments on stage together, almost reminiscent of antics seen in old “buddy” movies (a la “Abbot and Costello” or the “Hope and Crosby” road movies). 

(Photo: Jenny S. Lee as “Watson” with Aimee Doherty as “Holmes,” in a scene from "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, now playing at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, MA. until October 6, 2024. Photo Credit Maggie Hall)

An unofficial fourth member of the Central Square Theater  "BASKERVILLES" cast comes in the form of Assistant Stage Manager Melissa Smith who, in addition to moving almost all of the set pieces on stage, is featured prominently throughout the course of the show.

The second act has far more of the manic behavior of a farce and the three performers are all extremely adept throughout, especially when it comes to the massive amount of quick changes required.

"THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES" continues at Central Square Theater in Cambridge until October 6th, 2024 and is a howling good time.

Approximately two hours, 15 minutes with one intermission.  

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews 

@Theatre_Critics 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Master sleuth Sherlock Holmes and trusty Dr. Watson unlock the mystery of "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES!"

Enter the world of deductive reasoning and elementary logic, absurd accents and ridiculous puns as the inclusive, gender bending cast of three actors inhabit more than a dozen roles in this CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER favorite. 

Helmed by Artistic Director Lee Mikeska Gardner, leave your cares at home and join us this fall for a laugh out loud farce!  

ABOUT CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER

CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER (CST) is dedicated to the exploration of social justice, science and sexual politics through theater; catalyzing the dynamic synergies sparked by the collaboration between The Nora and Underground Railway. Through award-winning productions, the Catalyst Collaborative@ MIT Science Theater Initiative, and youth development programming – CST creates theater where points of view are heard, perspective shifts, and change can happen. 

CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER 

450 Massachusetts Avenue  

Cambridge, MA. 02139 

# 617-576-9278 

centralsquaretheater.org