A CHESTER city centre theatre is set to stage a madcap adaptation of the classic Sherlock Holmes tale The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Based on the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and adapted for the stage by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, the play will take to the stage at Chester Little Theatre from Saturday, June 29 and run until Saturday, July 6, with performances at 7.30pm.

The play will be directed for Chester Little Theatre by Lexie Fox-Hutchings.

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.

The actors will play multiple parts throughout the classic story.The actors will play multiple parts throughout the classic story. (Image: Paul Crofts)

Originally written for the hit comedy team Peepolykus, this adaptation which was first staged at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds in 2007, sees Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated Sherlock Holmes story get a gloriously funny makeover with just three actors playing multiple roles. The production in Chester sees actors Andy Fox-Hutchings, Alex Wight and K.C Finn playing all the characters between them.

Speaking about the Chester Little Theatre production, Lexie Fox-Hutchings said:

“I've always been most excited by strong fast paced comedies, like last season's Whisky Galore, so when the opportunity arose to direct again at Chester Little Theatre, this comedy retelling of one of Sherlock Holmes' best loved adventures seemed like the perfect choice, as it combines one of my favourite literary figures with a style of comedy that I love.”

Full details of The Hound of the Baskervilles can be found at www.chesterlittletheatre.co.uk, where tickets can be booked online.