Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Happy opening night in Everett (and closing in Issaquah) to Village Theatre’s production of Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Richard Nguyen Sloniker and Avery Clark lead a sharp ensemble through a madcap British-style comedy mystery, with strong doubling work from the full cast.
See it if you enjoy British comedy or comedy mysteries.
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No
Mainstream Appeal: Medium
If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A comedic take on The Hound of the Baskervilles classic.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Get your deerstalker cap on—the play’s afoot! From multi-award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood) comes a fast-paced adventure about everyone’s favorite detective solving his most notorious case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their killer, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must crack the mystery of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than 40 characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.
Type: Play
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several
Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly stationary with some dynamic elements
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You should be familiar with The Hound of the Baskervilles classic. I was only vaguely familiar with the Wishbone version and was still a little lost.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Union Actor(s): 3
Total Actor(s): 5
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium Speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.25 hours
Other Rave(s)
- Cast Doubling: The production inventively used cast doubling throughout the show with several moments where the device was openly acknowledged as a knowing wink to the audience that delighted in breaking the fourth wall. The standout moment was courtesy of Calder Jameson Schilling (or was it Mark Emerson?) where an old scullery maid revealed a male villain underneath, who then revealed yet the original another old scullery maid inside. It was a Russian nesting doll of disguise that was both absurd and technically impressive.
- Costume Design: Much of the magic in this Russian nesting doll scene was also due to costume designer Pete Rush. Another particularly memorable costume moment was his decision to emblaze a Texan flag across the butt of proud Schilling’s long johns. It was a gag that was reminiscent of the patriotic American pilot in Operation Mincemeat.
- Moments of Absurdity: The production showcased the cast’s commitment to physical storytelling and absurdity. A scene stood out for relying entirely on the actors’ bodies to depict treacherous wind without fans, but just remarkably convincing performance designed by movement director Gabriel Corey. Equally enjoyable was the casual choreographed nonchalance with which props like umbrellas, hats, and newspapers were tossed between cast members or flung offstage in the wings, as though the chaos were perfectly ordinary. And then there was Schilling’s moustache piece, which staged a rebellion of its own. Whether a genuine costume malfunction or a plant so perfectly timed it only appeared accidental, the house was in an uproar. If it was unscripted, I hope they recreated the moment in subsequent performances.
Rant(s)
- Script: For a lighthearted comedy, the production required too much brainpower from the audience with too many threads to follow. It started when the opening exposition overstayed its welcome. Ultimately, the script was not memorable. Though perhaps those who come already well-versed with the classic book will find more to love.
Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)
- Village Theatre’s Artistic Direction: A pattern is emerging under Village Theatre’s Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr. It’s a gravitational pull toward Ken Ludwig adaptations (like Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood) and genteel mystery fare that feels lifted straight from the Taproot Theatre playbook. That overlap is more than aesthetic as Taproot regulars Richard Nguyen Sloniker and Calder Jameson Shilling both appeared in Village’s recent Dial M for Murder as well as this production. Sloniker in particular has become the de facto Sherlock Holmes of Puget Sound, having reprised the role multiple times across the region.
Theatre Company: Village Theatre
Venue: Village Theatre
Venue Physical Address: 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201 or 303 Front St N, Issaquah, WA 98027
Price Range: $52 – 136
Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the Village Theatre discount page.
Dates: 1/20/26 to 2/22/26 in Issaquah and 2/28/26 to 3/22/26 in Everett
Seating: Assigned Seats
Parking: There’s free street parking and some paid parking lots/garages. In Issaquah, I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, you can always find parking at the library but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that mostly only locals know about.
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Photos: See production photos below by Rosemary Dai Ross.
Cast and Production Team: See after photos below.
