Never mind Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who’ll take on the roles of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson (and myriad other roles) in the Barn Theatre’s forthcoming stage production of The Hound of the Baskervilles? Cast now announced for the three-strong comic adaptation, revived in Cirencester by Joseph O’Malley. Time to get booking!
The first of two recently announced new in-house productions in the second season at this new Cotswolds venue under the leadership of artistic director Iwan Lewis, The Hound of the Baskervilles runs from 24 October to 24 November 2018, with a press night on 29 October and a special “Hallow-tweed” meet-the-cast evening on 31 October, sponsored by Barrington Ayre.
When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on his estate, with a look of terror still etched on his face, and the paw prints of a gigantic hound beside his body, the great detective Sherlock Holmes is summoned from Baker Street, with Dr Watson in tow, to unravel the mysteries surrounding his death, and investigate the ancient curse of the Hound of the Baskervilles.
Three talented performers star: recent Bristol Old Vic graduate Herb Cuanalo dons Holmes’ famous deerstalker hat with Hywell Dowsell as Watson and Dominic Brewer completing the trio, who play fourteen roles in total between them.
This comic staging of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s classic 1902 crime novel was originally written by John Nicholson and Steven Canny for comedy troupe Peepolykus. It premiered at West Yorkshire Playhouse (now Leeds Playhouse), where it broke box office records, before touring the UK and transferring to the West End. The Barn’s new production is directed by Joseph O’Malley, who assisted artistic director Iwan Lewis on One Minute earlier this year. Set and costumes are by Elin Steele.
Promo photos
Cast bios
Herb Cuanalo – Cuanalo plays Sherlock Holmes as well as Stapleton, Cecille Stapleton, Mr Barrymore, Mrs Barrymore and Yokel 3. Cuanalo graduated in 2017 from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. With a Mexican/ Barbadian heritage, he is an intelligent, versatile, imaginative actor with a talent for improvisation and physical transformation. He enjoys working collaboratively with new writing and devising companies, as well as being experienced in physical theatre and contemporary and classical text. He was also part of a diversity project at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School during the final year of his training. His credits during training include Our Country’s Good at the Redgrave Theatre, in which he played Capt. Arthur Phillip; a site-specific production of Our Town at Circomedia; and the American role of Dennis in Mike Bartlett’s 13 at The Tobacco Factory.
Hywel Dowsell – Dowsell plays Dr Watson and Yokel 1. Originally from South Wales, Dowsell trained at the Guildford School of Acting and since graduating, he has performed on tour, overseas and in London’s West End. Hywel’s theatre credits include: Mack and Mabel (Hackney Empire), Teihutu in Honeymoon In Vegas (London Palladium), Josiah Guest in My Land’s Shore (Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre), Hank in State Fair (Cadogan Hall), Snug in A Midsummer Night’s Dream(UK and overseas tour), Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka the Musical (Centrepoint Theatre, Dubai), The Genie in Aladdin (Middle Eastern Tour).
Dominic Brewer – Brewer plays Sir Charles Baskerville, Sir Henry Baskerville, Mortimer, Cabbie, Yokel 2 and Wise Yokel. Brewer was born in Bristol, and after gaining an honours degree in English and Drama at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, he trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. His extensive theatre credits include plays and musicals in London’s West End; on tour in the UK and in the regional producing houses of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Pitlochry, Scarborough and Keswick; open-air Shakespeare in Oxford and Cambridge; and critically acclaimed London fringe productions at the Southwark Playhouse, Union, Arcola, Landor, Upstairs at the Gatehouse and Bridewell Theatres.
He has also toured internationally, performing on Broadway in the Tony award-winning productions of “Twelfth Night” and “Richard III” with Shakespeare’s Globe, and in over twenty other countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Gibraltar, Malta, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Israel and China. Dominic also works as a screen actor, a voiceover artist and as a cabaret and concert singer having performed at prestigious venues including St. John’s Smith Square, Wilton’s Music Hall and on several occasions at the Royal Albert Hall.
