On October 25th, 2024, Daytona State College’s Theatre Department presented their adaptation of “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” which brought to life the eerie tale of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
The plot centered around the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville and the rumored curse of a supernatural hound that haunts the Baskerville family.
Holmes and Watson are called upon to unravel the mystery, leading them through a web of intrigue and danger set against the foggy moors of England.
One of the significant challenges faced by the production team was managing the intricate costume changes, as student actors were tasked with playing multiple characters. “We had student actors playing multiple characters, so there were some very tricky costume changes,” said the director of the show, Samantha Stern.
Casting for the various roles was approached with creativity and flexibility. During auditions, students had to prepare at least three different characters to read for. This allowed them to showcase their range and versatility.
“They all created their own fun versions of the various roles, and then I worked out who could feasibly play each one and even multiple characters,” said Stern.
The aim of this production was to ensure that the audience had fun and appreciated the inclusive nature of the play. “I hope they had fun and were able to enjoy and appreciate how the audience was included in many of the costume, character, and technical aspects of the production,” said Stern
While the original novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a mystery, this adaptation brought a humorous twist to the classic tale. Nonetheless, it retained the thrilling and suspenseful moments that are true to Doyle’s style, a testament to Ludwig’s adaptation.
Innovative techniques played a crucial role in bringing the story to life. “We used a fog machine, a self-driving baby carriage, sound effects from multiple surround sound speakers, transforming pieces of set! It was important for us to create as many interesting stage effects as possible to immerse the audience in the experience!” said Stern.
The costumes, true to the Victorian era, were thoughtfully designed. From elegant lace on dresses to the classic top hats and coats, each piece subtly transported the audience back to 19th-century London.
Daytona State College’s rendition of this classic tale showcased commendable efforts throughout the entirety of the production. The dedication to creating an authentic experience through costumes and set design deserves recognition and praise. The show highlighted the hard work, dedication, and creativity of the students involved, making it a memorable night at Baskerville Hall.
