The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Arthur Conan Doyle,
adapted by Canny & Nicholson
June 2015 at the Round Rock Amphitheater, Round Rock TX
This production was a period piece, adapted as a very physical three-person farce. The piece moves between almost forty distinct locations in just under two hours, and to allow for the pace which the show required, was performed as trunk-show, with reliance on hand props and very basic set and costume pieces. Because it was performed in an outdoor venue which had almost no infrastructure for stage lights, we relied mainly on sound effects to help set the scene and punctuate particularly dramatic or comedic moments.
Because of the show's pace and the size of the venue (300+), blocking had to be very crisp, and the actors' physicality, even when over-the-top, had to be sharp and clean. This required the physicality of the whole show to be carefully choreographed, and each prop and costume piece had to be mapped out and recorded for the actors and crew. We had one stage hand to help the actors with costume changes and prop placement, who was in contact with the stage manager as she called the show.
This production was a period piece, adapted as a very physical three-person farce. The piece moves between almost forty distinct locations in just under two hours, and to allow for the pace which the show required, was performed as trunk-show, with reliance on hand props and very basic set and costume pieces. Because it was performed in an outdoor venue which had almost no infrastructure for stage lights, we relied mainly on sound effects to help set the scene and punctuate particularly dramatic or comedic moments.
Because of the show's pace and the size of the venue (300+), blocking had to be very crisp, and the actors' physicality, even when over-the-top, had to be sharp and clean. This required the physicality of the whole show to be carefully choreographed, and each prop and costume piece had to be mapped out and recorded for the actors and crew. We had one stage hand to help the actors with costume changes and prop placement, who was in contact with the stage manager as she called the show.
In the Press:
"With meta-theatrical flourishes throughout and a dizzying array of characters, the actors treat audiences to an impressive and undeniably amusing performance."
—Austin360
"The humor is broad and accessible, powered by the slapstick physicality and great timing of the small cast
under Emily Rankin's direction."
--The Austin Chronicle
More about Penfold here.
"With meta-theatrical flourishes throughout and a dizzying array of characters, the actors treat audiences to an impressive and undeniably amusing performance."
—Austin360
"The humor is broad and accessible, powered by the slapstick physicality and great timing of the small cast
under Emily Rankin's direction."
--The Austin Chronicle
More about Penfold here.
Cast
Ryan Crowder - Sir John Watson
Eva McQuade - Sherlock Holmes
Toby Minor - Sir Henry Baskerville
Production Staff
Stage Manager - Carli Werner
Set/Props Designer - Desi Roybal
Costume Designer - Kari Taylor
Sound Designer - Robert L. Berry
Lighting Designer - Reagan Tankersley
Producers - Ryan Crowder, Nathan Jerkins
House Manager - Gabie Fultz
Photo credit: Kimberley Mead and Will Hollis Snyder
Ryan Crowder - Sir John Watson
Eva McQuade - Sherlock Holmes
Toby Minor - Sir Henry Baskerville
Production Staff
Stage Manager - Carli Werner
Set/Props Designer - Desi Roybal
Costume Designer - Kari Taylor
Sound Designer - Robert L. Berry
Lighting Designer - Reagan Tankersley
Producers - Ryan Crowder, Nathan Jerkins
House Manager - Gabie Fultz
Photo credit: Kimberley Mead and Will Hollis Snyder