The Hound of the Baskervilles

Billed as “a comic thriller starring Shirley Holmes and Jennie Watson”, this ‘Teens at Garrick’ show is inspired by the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and is set in 1889 at 221b Baker St, and the Murky Moor of Devonshire, featuring the nieces of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.

Originally slated for an April performance, the COVID 19 delay for this show means that leading lady, Olivia Fellowes, who plays Jennie Watson, is performing this show while completing her final days of Year 12. The pressure does not seem to be affecting her performance, with this Swan Christian College student anchoring the show beautifully in a likeable and nicely layered performance.

Jennie’s best friend Shirley Holmes is played by Victoria Abbott, with lots of lovely swagger. Despite the Teens at Garrick banner, there are a number of actors beyond their teens, including Victoria, Walter Kundai Gotore, who plays Sir Henry Baskerville with authority, Robert McConnell who has fun (appropriately) milking a death scene as Sir Charles Baskerville, and Fiona Foster, who is effective as the rather odd housekeeper Mrs Barrymore (wearing boots older than most of the cast).

Michaela Oberlin-Brown gives gravitas and maturity to the role of Maxine Mortimer, Rhys Boak is solid as Hugo Baskerville, with Samantha Compton making the most of brief appearances as Perkins. The very youthful Kody Fellows ages up nicely to play butler Barrymore.

Kailem Mollard nicely draws suspicion in a solid and likeable performance as the unlikeable John Stapleton, with Karla Jones interesting and fragile as his sister Dorothea. Blake Harapeet, a relative newcomer to theatre, makes quite an impression in the difficult role of Selden, an escaped convict. Laura Lyons brings passion to the role of local lady Laura Lyons, with Helena Johnson delightful as the enthusiastic blue-stocking Victoria, daughter of Inspector Lestrade.

A large ensemble provides colour and enthusiasm throughout. Special mention must be made of Teagan Harris, who stands out in a brief, silent cameo as Clara Bowman.

Great to see such a large scale, complex show go ahead against much adversity. It was very well received by the opening night socially distanced, audience.

Kimberley Shaw