In Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig transforms Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic novel The Hound of the Baskervilles into a wildly inventive comedic adaptation. Tony Award nominee Euan Morton stars as the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes, who along with Doctor Watson, must unravel the mystery of a spectral hound that haunts the Baskerville family.
This West Coast premiere at The Old Globe Theatre features five actors playing over 40 roles, bringing the foggy world of Victorian England to life through rapid-fire costume changes, inventive stagecraft, and laugh-out-loud humor, while still maintaining the thrilling tension of Holmes's most diabolical case.
Synopsis
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery follows the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville and attempt to protect his heir, Sir Henry, from the infamous curse of a spectral hound said to haunt the Baskerville family.
Ken Ludwig transforms Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale into a fast-paced comedic adventure where five actors portray more than 40 characters. Through lightning-fast costume changes and ingenious stagecraft, the production balances genuine suspense with laugh-out-loud comedy while remaining true to Holmes's most diabolical case.
Euan Morton as Sherlock Holmes
Tony Award nominee Euan Morton takes on the iconic role of Sherlock Holmes. Having previously appeared at The Old Globe as Michelangelo in Divine Rivalry (2012), Morton returns to the San Diego stage to portray literature's most famous detective.
Though physically different from the traditional image of Holmes, Morton impressed critics with his performance. As Variety noted, his eyes "reveal the unmistakable crusader's passion once the game's afoot." Morton brings both Holmes's characteristic analytical intensity and a physical agility that perfectly serves the production's comedic moments, crafting a unique interpretation of the legendary detective that stands apart from more traditional portrayals.
This marks another significant theatrical role for Morton, who first gained international recognition for his Olivier Award-nominated portrayal of Boy George in the musical Taboo in London's West End and on Broadway, for which he also received a Tony Award nomination.
The Other Characters
Doctor Watson (Usman Ally) - As Holmes's loyal companion and chronicler, Watson serves as both a foil to the detective's brilliance and the audience's guide through the mystery. Ally, an Obie Award winner, portrays Watson with sincere earnestness and determination, highlighting the doctor's own investigative skills while maintaining the classic dynamic with Holmes.
Multiple Roles (Blake Segal, Andrew Kober, and Liz Wisan) - The theatrical magic of Baskerville comes alive as these three versatile actors take on more than 35 characters collectively. Through rapid costume changes, vocal transformations, and physical comedy, they populate the world of Victorian England with an array of memorable characters including the menacing Stapleton, the American heir Sir Henry Baskerville, the loyal Mrs. Hudson, and dozens more.
About the Playwright
Ken Ludwig is one of America's preeminent comic playwrights, with major works that have been performed throughout the world in more than 30 countries and in over 20 languages. His plays include Lend Me A Tenor, Crazy For You (five years on Broadway and the West End, Tony and Olivier Award winner for Best Musical), Moon Over Buffalo, and Leading Ladies, among many others.
The Production
Directed by Josh Rhodes, who previously choreographed the Globe's productions of Bright Star and Working, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery transforms the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre into the atmospheric world of Victorian England. Wilson Chin's set design makes ingenious use of the theater-in-the-round space, conjuring locales from Baker Street to the foggy moors of Devonshire.
Shirley Pierson's costume designs are crucial to the production's rapid character transitions, while Austin R. Smith's lighting and Bart Fasbender's sound design and original music help create both the suspenseful and comedic moments that define the show.
Originally scheduled to run through August 23, 2015, the production proved so popular that it was extended through August 30, 2015, as part of the Globe's 80th Anniversary festivities and the Balboa Park Centennial Celebration.
Euan in Baskerville
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The Baskerville programme
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Links
Official Sites
The Old Globe Theatre
Ken Ludwig's Official Site - Baskerville
Selection of Articles
Variety Baskerville Review: Ken Ludwig's Sherlock Holmes Story at Old Globe
Broadway World The Old Globe Sets Cast, Creative Team for BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
San Diego Union-Tribune Preview: The Old Globe Theatre stages the West Coast premiere of Ken Ludwig's "Baskerville"
