reviewvancouver: Arts Club Theatre On Tour - Baskerville

It was a standing ovation on opening night last October 12th at the Surrey Arts Centre for the actors Lauren Bowler, Kirk Smith, Mike Wasko, Mark Weatherley and Alex Zahara, five actors playing over 40 comical characters, as suspects, allies, and heirs in this zany murder mystery based on the Arthur Conan Doyle classic.

The one who got the most laughs was Bowler who played 14 different roles. What was amazing was the quick change of costumes, some of them complicated as they were dresses of the 19th century, with laces and corsets tied at the back of the dress.

Ludwig, an internationally acclaimed playwright, is known for his comedies. One such comedy which was made into film is Lend me a Tenor. He is also well-known for the energy he puts in his comedies, as shown in this one.

The actors must have been pooped after this show with all the running around and changing costumes. The only two characters who remained the same all throughout were Holmes and Watson.

Kudos to director John Murphy for the fast-pacing of this play which kept us all wide awake. The same I would say for all the technical people - sets and lights, costumes, sound, projection, and particularly those in stage management who also took a bow at curtain call.

From the opening minutes, innovative techniques were produced to show the mood and setting of each scene. Projections, various screens and scrims, movable sets, puppets, and sounds --all set in motion as these five actors playing dozens of characters run all over the stage to keep up with the quick changes in scenery, contributing to the comedic performances.

I also enjoyed Kirk Smith. who plays the inheritor, a brash young Texan. But all five actors showed convincing performances with their abilities and talents.

The play will be at the Surrey Arts Centre until October 22nd but if you miss it at this venue, they will be performing at different theatres in the lower mainland. For more details, click on http://artsclub.com/shows/on-tour/2016-2017/baskerville.