The famous consulting detective Sherlock Holmes is called in to investigate a man’s death in “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” premiering at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Garvin Theatre for the theater department’s 70 spectacular season.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote this suspenseful story in 1902, and the play it’s directed by Michael Gros, co-chair of the theater department.
It is set in London, 1889 and opens with a folk tale of the Baskerville curse.
Gros speaks of the play as a new adaptation of the piece with a highly stylized sense of danger. According to the director, there are numerous possibilities of who the murderer could be.
Sir Charles Baskerville has died suddenly, perhaps because of the vicious “hound” from the ancient family curse that has now been revealed. The curse now threatens Sir Henry, the new heir played by Josh Hershfield, so the detective is called upon to solve the mystery.
As Sherlock Holmes, played by Brian Harwell, and his colleague Dr. John Watson, played by Jon Koons, investigates the death of Sir Charles Baskerville and together they try and discover what made him the next victim of this curse.
Under the eye of Director R. Michael Gros, right, student actors from left: George Coe, Jon Koons, Josh Hershfield, and Robert Demetriou, playing Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Watson, Sir Henry Baskerville, and Mr. Frankland, respectively, rehearsing their roles during fight night for ‘The Hound of Baskervilles,’ Oct. 1, in the Garvin Theatre, City College, Santa Barbara. Fight night rehearsal is an effort to eliminate all preventable injuries to the actors, crew, and audience, whether from handling of firearms, knives, falls, or any other activity. The production opens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Garvin Theatre; tickets available at www.theatergroupsbcc.com.
The questions is, was there really a vicious hound or was this part of someone’s devious plan to replace the heir of Baskerville Hall?
Though Holmes does not believe in the curse, he is intrigued by the case and agrees to work with Watson to figure out what could have frightened Sir Charles Baskerville to death.
Jenna Scalon, playing Barrel Stapleton, said she is excited how the play is going to look visually and that there are terrific actors performing.
There are many questions to be answered in this thrilling murder mystery because every character is a suspect.
As Holmes and Watson pursue finding answers to the clues of the mystery, they get closer to finding the culprit behind the Baskerville murder.
George Coe, playing Dr. Mortimor, said the play has a “strong comedic factor” and is “a mystery with fun elements.” This is Coe’s fifth play at City College, and he was a student back in 2009. Filled with romance, mystery and anticipation, Coe said this play will keep the audience guessing and engaged.
Considering the spooky setting of this play, the final showing will take place Halloween night as a “pre-party” for the night’s events. Audience members are highly encouraged to wear their best Sherlock Holmes or Steam Punk costumes to the final performance.
Previews for the play will take place on Oct. 14 and 15, and the play will officially debut on Friday, Oct. 16. Tickets are $17 for students and $26 for the public. For more information regarding tickets and the play visit their website.
