Ken Ludwig's "Baskerville A Sherlock Holmes Mystery" takes up residence at Stage West Calgary!

Ken Ludwig's "Baskerville A Sherlock Holmes Mystery"

Stage West Calgary

until April 15, 2018

Photo by John Watson, courtesy Stage West Calgary

The Guinness world record holder for “Most Portrayed Movie Character” arrives for his onstage treatment at Stage West Calgary, in “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville A Sherlock Holmes Mystery”.

Along with Holmes is his friend and biographer Dr. Watson, to assist in solving the prerequisite murder that inevitably propels them ahead with the audience, as everyone tries to solve said murder along with the assorted cast of characters embroiled in the proceedings.

In this case, the cast employs a technique similar to that of another adaptation, Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, where a handful of actors play multiple characters. Here, Holmes and Watson remain in character throughout, but the balance of roles are portrayed by three actors.

Given the massive popularity Holmes enjoys currently just with portrayals from Robert Downey Jr and Benedict Cumberbatch alone, the production is sure to keep the chairs full through the entire run. After all creator Ken Ludwig has a proven track record of success with comedies, Lend Me A Tenor, Crazy For You, and Fox On The Fairway among them. 

Director Mark Bellamy similarly has a track record of success, not the least with a smash production at Stage West of the aforementioned 39 Steps.

And, if you happen to like the mixed bag of zany humour offered in films like Airplane, Young Frankenstein, or the likes of Monty Python, you are sure to appreciate the sight gags and absurdity of the proceedings. My only complaint is the reliance on all those elements - while none are actually trademarked, Baskerville tends to come off as a sum of assorted parts, rather than an original clever comedy of the beloved fictional hero.

As always here in this space, I need to hold back for my official Calgary Herald review, but given the identity crisis of the script/book, the cast still produces plenty of laughter and intrigue to make the show a fun evening out. 

Breathtaking quick changes, over-the-top accents, and sight gags abound, and the two main actors are stoic straight men for the shenanigans of the other actors as they fuel the comedy along with the mystery.

Photo by John Watson, courtesy Stage West Calgary

Patrick Brown plays Dr Watson, across from David Leyshon’s Holmes (both are familiar faces for Stage West audiences). Braden Griffiths, Andrew MacDonald-Smith and Esther Purves-Smith leap through virtual hoops at rapid speed to breathe life into a variety of supporting cast members, taking advantage of sight gags and exceptional visual stage devices for their laughs. I laughed out loud at the appearance of a rabbit, but I won’t give away why that particular prank is so effective…

Beyond the cast and direction, the set is outstanding. JP Thibodeau’s fluid set pieces and haunting moon background create everything from the moors and on to Victorian gates, hotels and living rooms. 

The costumes and lighting also lend themselves to recreating the era intended, and the authenticity of a Holmes adventure. 

Baskerville runs until April 15, 2018 - I’ll link back when my Herald review is live!

3.5 out of 5 stars    

"Avenue Q" at Stage West Calgary Is Puppet Perfection!

"Avenue Q"

Stage West Calgary

My "Before-Noon" Theatre Review: 

"Avenue Q" 

at Stage West Calgary

Directed & Choreographed by Mark Bellamy

(5 out of 5 Stars)

What a way to end the latest season over at Stage West Calgary - the award-winning (albeit frequently naughty) "Avenue Q" won over the audience last night with real-life struggles portrayed by shadier versions of The Muppets. 

While not at all a production of the legendary Sesame Street or Muppets creator Jim Henson, you can't ignore the comparison - it's "felt" throughout by the main characters, a variety of puppets and monsters that move the storyline along, while visible puppeteers actually move them through their scenes.

It all works unbelievably well - there are moments when you don't even realize that the puppeteer maneuvering the character that they are holding isn't the actor actually voicing them. Without any effort to hide the humans, they do end up blending in visually, in deference to the puppet leads.

Here though is where I have to say that from a vocal standpoint, this may just be the strongest cast of singers to date at Stage West Calgary - and there have been some amazing vocalists on that stage over the years I have attended. In the roles here, with multiple voices to alternate between, each and every actor delivers wonderfully vocally, and emotionally. Director Mark Bellamy noted that the songs were terrific in an interview prior to the media night presentation, and he wasn't kidding. Who needs "Bring Him Home", when there are so many witty melodies, like plays on racism "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist", or online surfing "The Internet Is For Porn"?? 

Like Les Miz, there are refrains of some songs throughout, like "B.A. In English" and "It Sucks To Be Me" laments that are reprised, nicely anchoring the theme of disappointment that runs throughout the production, while maintaining the heavy sense of humour that dominates the story. 

photos courtesy of Stage West Calgary


Make no mistake. This is an adult show, with graphic scenes and language. Stage West did a great job letting potential audience members know that in advance, in case anyone wasn't already familiar with the show. In the spirit of the story, the naughtiness all worked to big laughs. Despite the lack of a tidy, happy ending, I'd wager that most of the audience left more than satisfied with the experience.

As usual, I have to retain some material for use in my official Calgary Herald review (linked here when that's live in the paper and online), but quickly - Jeremy Crittenden (Princeton/Rod) and Madeleine Suddaby (Kate/Lucy) were outstanding as were their colleagues Christian Goutsis (Nicky Trekkie) and Selina Wong (vocal powerhouse Christmas Eve), as well as Katrina Reynolds (Gary Coleman), Katherine Fadum, and Daniel Williston (Brian).  

You can find out more by visiting Stage West Calgary, and you can access the piece I wrote earlier for my Calgary Herald Blog, when I sat down with director Mark Bellamy.

You can view that interview on my YouTube Channel, or download it from my podcast site.

Again, I'll post a link once my actual Calgary Herald review runs, but for now, make plans to go get your puppet on at Stage West Calgary - this show is as good as it gets, human or otherwise!

Later...