Presented by Central Square Theater
Based on the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
By Steven Canny & John Nicholson
Directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner
Featuring: Aimee Doherty, Jenny S. Lee, Sarah Morin
September 12 – October 6, 2024
Central Square Theater
450 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
The running time is approximately 2 hours, 15 minutes including an intermission.
Critique by Kitty Drexel
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Central Square Theater’s The Hound of the Baskervilles is intentionally silly and joyfully performed. In this time of immature politicians who make up stories for negative attention like spoiled brats, it is refreshing to laugh with actors creating great theatre and not at bad actors bastardizing the First Amendment. THOTB runs in Cambridge, MA through October 6.
Central Square first presented THOTB in 2011. It was directed by Thomas Derrah and featured male actors Remo Airaldi (Sherlock Holmes), Bill Mootos (Dr. Watson), and Trent Mills (Sir Henry Baskerville). New England Theatre Geek’s review of the production is here. The original script by Canny and Nicholson is intended for three men as 15 characters. It is rife with heroic acts of physical comedy, punny jokes, and homoerotic symbolism. We assume it is meant for three men because the majority of Doyle’s characters are men; three men wrote the play; and, last but never least, it is for three men because of misogyny*.
This Geek believes theatre companies shouldn’t attempt to restage a production unless the company has something new to say. Director Lee Mikeska Gardner, her cast, and Central Square Theater have a lot to say. They didn’t restage THOTB; they reinvented it.
Castmembers Aimee Doherty (Holmes), Jenny S. Lee (Watson), and Sarah Morin (Sir Henry) took Canny and Nicholson’s script over their knee and made it their bitch. They pulverized the play’s fourth wall to chew on the scenery behind it. They leap, dance, twirl, ride in carriages, and even sink into “Dartmoo’s” Grimpen Mire without dying. They have impressive comedic timing and exemplary physical stamina. Even if this fast-paced panto-like farce isn’t your preferred entertainment, you can’t help but be impressed by their performances.
The sound design by David Bryan Jackson, lighting design by John R. Malinowski, and scenic design by Julia Wonkka swiftly create the many locations in the production. Their designs are clever, efficient and safe.
Kudos to Assistant Stage Manager Melissa Smith and Production Stage Manager Brian M. Robillard for their work on the tech team on Saturday evening! THOFB is a fast-paced and prop and costumes-heavy script. Smith and Robillard’s versatility backstage and in the booth meant Doherty, Lee, and Morin performed at their best for us. Extra kudos go to Smith for her sincere portrayal of Victor the horse who would not be moved. A crew works hard to make a show run seamlessly, and it is a special gift when they are willing to play along with the actors.
The Hound of The Baskervilles is relatively family-friendly. It might not be suitable for kids under ten, but that’s because it contains elements of terror like murder and scary folk monsters. There’s a scene in an antiquated men’s steam bath. We don’t have these here so it may cause confusion. The show also runs long. Many children (and some adults) may find the long run time tedious. It is well worth everyone’s effort to stay up past bedtime.
Please do not pet the dog.
@chiefmahomie Pet that dog! 😂😂 #bear #lookslike #dog #funnykids #lmal #hilarious #funny #fyp #petthatdog #wildlife #wildanimals ♬ original sound – Matt Bishoff
*There were a lot of BIG conversations about whether women were funny from the early to late-2010s. Women are and have always been funny. It took about a decade to convince male comedians and male journalists of this. The real question is “Can Men be funny?” We may never know.
