Sherlock Holmes is undoubtedly one of the greatest characters in English literature. The pipe smoking sleuth in a deerstalker has an enduring fame. There have been countless films, stage shows and adaptations but this latest effort from Illyria is a fine effort that deserves much credit. The Hound of the Baskervilles seems so ingrained it hardly needs any introduction but for the uninitiated, a brief summary might be helpful.

Dr James Mortimer asks for the help of Sherlock Holmes. He tells of a legend passed down in the Baskerville family. In the 17th Century, Sir Hugo Baskerville kidnapped a farmer’s daughter, who subsequently escaped but was later found dead. Sir Charles also perished, reputedly killed by a frightening hound. Many Baskervilles have subsequently died due to a hound that still haunts Dartmoor. Sir Charles Baskerville is convinced by the legend and fears for his safety so he enlists Holmes and faithful sidekick Dr Watson to investigate further.

The Actor's Church in Covent Garden has a well established reputation as an open air theatre. With its beautiful gardens and stunning church interior, it’s the perfect setting for an evening's entertainment. However, on this occasion, the weather was unkind as blustery winds mingled with persistent rain so the production was staged inside the church. This created an intimate atmosphere and was captured by the subtle use of lighting. They cast giant shadows as the actors move around stage, with the natural acoustics producing a booming delivery and an almost creepy echo.

The four strong cast comprised of Julian Brett (Sherlock Holmes), Stuart Tavendale (Dr Watson), Rob Keeves (Dr James Mortimer) and Margot Navellou (Sir Henry Baskerville) performed out of their skins. They mastered several roles and executed them with ease. Not only that, they were scene shifters, puppeteers and sound effects specialists. Improvisation comes to the fore and helps to maintain an engaging show.

However, this production was designed for outdoors and there was a distinct feeling of displacement. Whilst it’s a matter of preference, some struggled with two hours twenty minutes sitting on wooden pews. Even with cushions and a twenty minute interval, it was still uncomfortable. Another drawback of going indoors is the absence of variation. Shows at the Actors Church will move around the gardens and make full use of the courtyard. The entrance will also provide an excellent backdrop to scenes. Any outdoor production is a hostage to the weather and such adjustments are sometimes necessary. This lessens the impact of an otherwise excellent show. Illyria show a great sense of adventure and boast a talented company of actors, but the weather wasn’t on their side.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Brian Penn