Audition Date: Thursday 14 September, 7:30pm

Mortimer announces that Sir Henry Baskerville has arrived in London on his way to take up his post at Baskerville Hall. Is he in danger? Locals have seen a shadowy creature on the moors and howls pierce the night. Holmes states he is too busy in London to accompany Mortimer and Sir Henry to Devonshire, so he sends Dr Watson to be his eyes and ears in the case. Sir Henry has been followed in London and receives a mysterious warning. Holmes is uneasy sending Watson into danger and warns him to beware the moor at night, ‘when the powers of evil are exalted’.

Once at Baskerville Hall Watson meets some mysterious characters including the groom Perkins, the butler Mr Barrymore, the housekeeper Mrs Barrymore, and Sir Henry’s neighbours’ - Jack and Beryl Stapleton and the cantankerous Franklin. Whilst walking the moors Watson receives a warning from Beryl to return to London immediately as he is in great danger - is he mistaken for Sir Henry? Who is the escaped convict roaming the moors and are they known to the woman who is heard crying in the night?

Distant howls and strange sightings start troubling Watson, and he grows suspicious of the butler Barrymore, who at night signals from a window with a candle to someone on the moor. From their first meeting Sir Henry is drawn to Beryl, but she is afraid of her brother’s attitude to any relationship. Meanwhile, Franklin likes to pry on others with his telescope; whilst his estranged daughter, Laura Lyons, has some unclear ties to Sir Charles Baskerville. At night a shadowy figure is seen haunting the moor.

Dr Mortimer is eager to convince Sir Henry that the curse is real. To ascertain more information but with misgivings, Watson agrees to a séance held by Mrs Mortimer. Will this reveal why Sir Charles died?

The staging brings Sir Artur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective to life in his most famous case. Using puppetry, audiences will meet the ‘Hound from Hell’ in all its glorious presence in this fast paced adaptation. Adapted to maximise the tension the story is told using all the cast working as a group of players.

Join us as we prepare to meet with “the likes no human should lay eyes on!”

The roles are listed below with some character notes. Please feel free to audition for any part irrespective of age or gender.

For a script, please contact Shaun Hughes at: shaun.hughes@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 07971 815 883. Please feel free to call or email anytime if you want more information about the play.

Characters

Sherlock Holmes - Holmes, famed 221B Baker Street detective is observation and intuition personified. His presence is always felt in this story as he and Watson appear to work separately in this adventure, but together at the beginning and end to solve the crime. A haughty and eccentric character - conceited and verging on arrogant. A famous detective who has deduced countless crimes and mysteries.

Dr Watson - The show’s narrator, who acts as a foil for Holmes’ genius and humanises his contact with the world. Although Holmes takes on the case, it is Watson who leaves for Dartmoor with Sir Henry, writing to Holmes and reporting all the events as they unravel. A Doctor with a warm heart, courageous and loyal to Holmes. (This is the Watson from the books).

Mrs Barrymore - Long term cook and housekeeper at Baskerville Hall, dour but a very able person. The escaped convict on Dartmoor is Mrs Barrymore’s brother and this makes her a somewhat melancholy soul, who is heard crying at night. She has kept her brother fed and watered but wants no one to know his whereabouts. Secretive. (Small part).

(This part can double with Mrs Mortimer & Mrs Hudson; however, all three roles may be played by different actors as small roles)

Mrs Mortimer - Wife to Dr Mortimer who has a talent for contacting the dead by holding seances. She is a spiritualist and feels emotions strongly. Can sense the voices from beyond the grave. (Small part)

Mrs Hudson - The long suffering housekeeper of 221B Baker Street. She has put up with a lot of frustrating behaviour from Holmes, but she is ready to support Holmes and Watson in all their endeavours, even if that means more trouble. A hard working person much beloved by the famous pair. (Small part)

Dr Mortimer - Family friend and doctor to the Baskervilles. Mortimer is the executor of Sir Charles’ estate. Dr Mortimer invites Holmes and Watson to investigate the case and remains in the background providing information on the situations as they arise. A complicated and mysterious person at the start, a ‘red herring’ unravelled by Holmes.

Sir Charles Baskerville - At the start of the story the head of the Baskerville estate. Sir Charles is terrified of the Baskerville curse and dies in terror of ‘the hound from hell’. Sir Charles was also a known philanthropist in Devonshire. (Small part).

(This part can double with Perkins & Mr Franklin; however, all three roles may be played by different actors as small roles).

Mr Franklin - Father to Laura Lyons. Franklin is a man who likes to sue any perceived infringement on his rights. Villainised by locals for his harsh treatment of Laura when she leaves her abusive husband. A strong character to mislead Watson, but no more than a cantankerous selfish old man in the end. (Small part)

Perkins - Groom to Baskerville Hall with a gloomy disposition, a tendency to gossip and over dramatize a situation. (Small part)

Sir Henry Baskerville - The late Sir Charles’s nephew, an eager person wishing to do his best, Sir Henry takes his inheritance seriously and pledges to support the Baskerville estate and all those linked to it. Sir Henry unexpectedly falls in love with Beryl Stapleton, believing her to be free to marry but does not realising that his life is in constant danger from the person posing as her brother. Canadian/American accent required.

Jack Stapleton - Appears to be a bookish-looking entomologist who chases butterflies on Dartmoor. A calm façade masks the scheming, manipulative villain that Holmes and Watson need to reveal. Stapleton murders Sir Charles and wishes to do the same to Sir Henry, thus allowing him to claim his birth right. He will stop at nothing, inflicting violence on anyone who stands in his way.

Beryl Stapleton - Allegedly Jack’s sister but really his wife. Eager to prevent another death but terrified of her husband, she gives enigmatic warnings to Sir Henry and Dr Watson. A gentle person dominated by her husband but who is also touched by Sir Henry’s kindness. Beryl is strong enough however to overcome her abusive husband and out-manoeuvre him, to find a new way of living out of his shadow.

Barrymore - Long term butler at Baskerville Hall. Appears at first to be sinister, but later is found to be sincere and earnest. When Barrymore is caught signalling to someone on the moor, he is accused of conspiring against the Baskervilles, however, he reveals this is kindness to Mrs Barrymore’s brother, the escaped convict.

Laura Lyons - Laura is the daughter of Mr Franklin, a local gentleman who disowned Laura when she married against his will. Subsequently then abandoned by her husband, Laura received help from Sir Charles. A strong personality able to be true to herself-and face off Sherlock Holmes!

Puppeteers - Two persons to operate the ‘Hound’ puppet. Any age, any gender. The puppet will appear throughout the play, numerous times.

All other parts played by members of the cast.