“As you value your life or your reason, keep away from the moor!”
At first glance, this seems like a pretty chilling warning, but Wakefield High School’s production of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery is anything but a traditional whodunnit. Dark, brooding detectives are now replaced by a high-pitched old woman…or wait, is that guy in a bunny costume? Now he’s an opera singer?! In this hilariously twisted tale on a Sherlock Holmes classic, deciphering the truth is anything but “elementary.”
With the debut of Sherlock Holmes in the 1887 novel A Study in Scarlet, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced a character and book series that would redefine the detective genre. Among Doyle’s works, The Hound of the Baskervilles stands out as one of the most popular, marking his return to the character after an eight-year hiatus. Like the rest of the Holmes canon, it is set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras a pattern continued in the stage adaptation, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. American playwright Ken Ludwig’s production premiered in Washington, D.C. in January 2015, featuring a five-actor ensemble who brought more than forty distinct characters to life in his typical comedic fashion.
Although Wakefield High School’s production of Baskerville features a cast larger than the original five actors, it carries the same endearing, tongue-in-cheek charm. The show’s elements are tied together by an absurdist style of comedy, supported by a simple set that allows the actors along with key lighting choices and props to truly shine.
Playing the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes is Angelina Kaminski who brings sharp wit and a keen eye for potential suspects to the role. Fast-spoken yet remarkably articulate, Kaminski maintaines a consistent accent throughout and shares several memorable moments of camaraderie with her partner in crime, Doctor Watson, portrayed by Clarence Martin. Quick as a whip, she often delivers deductions in mere seconds, making Martin’s bewildered reactions all the more comical.
Sir Henry Baskerville, hilariously portrayed by Xavier Dent, is the epitome of the phrase, “everything is bigger and better in Texas.” With a larger-than-life personality, Dent’s lazy Southern drawl creates a delightful contrast to the prim and proper duo of Watson and Holmes. His budding romance with Miss Stapleton (Dylan Myers) adds an unexpected layer of depth to the character, pushing against the familiar stereotype of the naive, egotistical American. Stapleton, played by Daniel Smith, is equally memorable, from his introduction as an overenthusiastic naturalist to the eventual reveal of his true intentions: plotting to steal the Baskerville fortune and eliminating anyone who stands in his way. Smith’s exaggerated physical comedy provides a sharp and engaging contrast to the character’s later, darker turn.
A variety of student-composed musical pieces, designed and executed by Tiago Woodyard, truly anchor the production. An original main theme that opens the performance and recurring motifs woven throughout effectively set the tone for the potential dangers lurking on the moors. Lighting also plays a crucial role, especially given the production’s minimalist set. Designed by Rue Dove, Sean Glaze, Ike Mandeville, and Ella Sitz, the lighting design relies on a range of gels to enhance atmosphere and storytelling. Green washes evoked the vastness of the moor, while striking red cues signal moments of violence, danger, or even death.
Wakefield High School’s production of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery delivers both suspense and comedy in equal measure. The cast’s energy, clever design choices, and sharply timed humor pull the audience into a delightfully wicked romp through the moors of Baskerville Hall.
If you think you know Sherlock Holmes, think again! See the play in Wakefield’s Auditorium this Friday and Saturday, 11/21 and 11/22 at 7pm. Buy tickets now: bit.ly/whsbaskerville