Playing from Friday 2 August to Saturday 31 August, 2024
Reviewed by Tony Flood
Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes story, The Hound of the Baskervilles, has been turned into a frantic frolic in this stage adaption by Steven Canny and John Nicholson.
A talented cast of three, Tom Richardson, Andrew Pollard and Ben Roddy spend two hours cavorting around the 140-year-old Devonshire Park stage in a series of madcap antics.
For me, this farcical makeover of a gruesome tale of death on the moors is not ‘laugh out loud’ funny, but there are a host of humorous moments, both physical and verbal, that make us chuckle.
Director Chris Jordan and the Eastbourne Theatre Production team put to good use their vast experience with the annual Devonshire Park pantos and productions such as The Invisible Man, The 39 Steps and Around the World in 80 Days.
Chris ensures that the fast-paced fun spreads to the audience who are spoken to directly by the actors at the start of each act.
The story is well known. When Sir Charles Baskerville is mauled to death on his Dartmoor estate inthe 1880s,with a look of terror etched on his face, and the paw prints of a huge hound beside his body, Sherlock Holmes is summoned from Baker Street, with his assistant Dr Watson to investigate.
Andrew Pollard, who originated the role of Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days for New Vic Theatre in 2013, makes an excellent Eastbourne debut. In addition to being an authoritative Holmes, Andrew throws himself into several other characters which requires multiple costume changes.
Photo: P Gurr
Tom Richardson, a convincing Sir Henry Baskerville, and Ben Roddy, ideal as nice but dim Dr Watson, also take on other guises with great gusto. All three actors show impeccable timing and superb chemistry.
The production benefits hugely from the set and costume design of Julie Godrey, the lighting design of Ryan Tate and the sound design of Charlie Tipler, who make us fully aware that a frightful beast is at large. And production manager James Luff makes a vital contribution.
Tony Flood spent most of his working life as a journalist, initially on local and regional papers and then on nationals. He was also editor of Football Monthly, Controller of Information at Sky Television and enjoyed a spell with The People before retiring in 2010.
He recalls: “My work as a showbiz and leisure writer, critic and editor saw me take on a variety of challenges - learning to dance with Strictly Come Dancing star Erin Boag, becoming a stand-up comedian and playing football with the late George Best and Bobby Moore in charity matches.
“Now I spend much of my time writing books, and theatre reviews and articles for online magazines Unknown Kent and Sussex and The Write Site. I recently retired from playing veterans football, having been one of the oldest - and slowest - players in the country!” Tony's first book was fantasy adventure SECRET POTION, which went to No. 1 in its Amazon category and has been recommended by other authors for Harry Potter fans of all ages.
His celebrity book, MY LIFE WITH THE STARS – SIZZLING SECRETS SPILLED! is full of anecdotes and revelations about showbiz and sports personalities, including Eric Morecambe, Elvis Presley, Kylie Minogue, George Best, Frank Sinatra, Joan Collins, Strictly Come Dancing stars, Muhammad Ali and Bobby Moore, with whom Tony worked.
The versatile Mr Flood then turned to writing in another genre with spicy crime thriller TRIPLE TEASE, endorsed by best-selling author Peter James, actor Brian Capron and The Sun newspaper's Stuart Pink. Following the success of TRIPLE TEASE, Tony wrote STITCH UP! – KILLER OR VICTIM? and FALL GUY.
In BEGGARS BELIEF compassionate copper DCI Harvey Livermore and his Major Crime Team are again trying to put a killer behind bars in a gripping, fast-moving story.
Tony has also co-written, with his wife Heather Flood, LAUGHS AND TEARS GALORE – STORIES AND POEMS WITH TWISTS!
Tony gives talks about the showbiz and sports stars featured in his celebrity book, as well as holding miniworkshops and giving advice on how would-be authors can write a successful book. Any groups wishing to contact him can email: tflood04@yahoo.co.uk Tony is chairman of Anderida Writers of Eastbourne. The link for the Anderida website is:www.anderidawriters.co.uk
