Watkins Mill’s very own O’Shea theater is set to unveil its winter production, The Hound of the Baskervilles, a stage adaptation of the iconic Sherlock Holmes mystery. Performances will take place December 11 and 12 at 6 p.m., with a matinee on December 13 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students and $11 for non-students. Tickets are sold on GoFan and can be easily purchased by accessing the QR code in the poster above.
For those unfamiliar with the story, The Hound of the Baskervilles follows detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson as they investigate a chilling curse haunting the Baskerville family. After Sir Charles Baskerville dies under mysterious circumstances, his heir is threatened by what locals believe is a supernatural hound haunting the moors. Holmes and Watson must solve a mystery steeped in suspense, deception, and a bit of humor.
At the center of this production is senior Evelyn Hurt, who takes on the challenge of portraying Sherlock Holmes. Hurt, who has been involved in theater for years, describes how bringing Holmes to life required her to consider not only the detective’s intellect and confidence, but also how to portray a masculine character as a woman.
“For a long time I was trying to figure out whether I should play it [Sherlock Holmes] more masculine or more feminine, like myself,” Hurt said. “For a long time I was trying to figure out if I should lower my voice for it? Should I be effeminate?”
Hurt ultimately approached the role by blending Holmes’ sharpness and relentless curiosity with her own voice and identity, creating a version of the detective that feels both recognizable and uniquely her own.
Behind the curtain, the tech and stage crew faced their own mysteries to solve. With a shortened preparation schedule for the production, the team had to work quickly to design and construct the Baskerville estate, Holmes’ apartment, and more. Despite the time crunch, tech and crew worked tirelessly.
Although the cast and crew had to push through the demanding practice times, they agree that the hard work has made the final product even more meaningful. Whether you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan or simply looking for an evening of mystery, drama, and a a bit of humor, this year’s play promises an engaging and atmospheric experience.
