MORE THAN a quarter of a century ago the Hound of the Baskervilles was unleashed in Lydford, when the BBC filmed a dramatization of the story starring Tom Baker. Many local residents recall the excitement and chaos of the filming.

Now the Hound is back in the village, in a performance by The Tavonians Theatre Company on Thursday April 22.

The following day the play is given in Meavy, followed by performances in Tavistock Town Hall on the Sunday including a matinee at 3.30pm, then there are two performances the following week in Princetown, in the heart of Dartmoor.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's concept for The Hound of the Baskervilles came from the legend of Squire Richard Cabell who was the local squire at Buckfastleigh during the 17th century.

He had a passion for hunting and was what in those days described as a 'monstrously evil man'.

He gained this reputation for, among other things, immorality and having sold his soul to the Devil. There was also a rumour that he had murdered his wife.

When he died in 1677 and was laid to rest that was only the beginning of the story. The night of his interment saw a phantom pack of hounds come baying across the moor to howl at his tomb.

From that night onwards, he could be found leading the phantom pack across the moor, usually on the anniversary of his death.

If the pack were not out hunting, they could be found ranging around his grave howling and shrieking.

In an attempt to lay the soul to rest, the villagers built a large building around the tomb, and to be doubly sure a huge slab was placed on top of the grave to stop the ghost of the squire escaping.

The performances across Dartmoor are part of the Tavistock Music and Arts Festival 'Tavistock Sings'.

The Tavonians have chosen to present this Sherlock Holmes classic as part of the festival because the action takes place amidst the tors, mires and mists of Dartmoor.

In this version by Simon Williams, which is staged in the round, the moods and atmospheres of the moor are portrayed by an ensemble and accompanied by a percussionist, while Holmes and Watson investigate the murder of one of the Baskerville family — was it the hound, was it the escaped convict from Dartmoor Prison or perhaps someone closer to home? The play is full of great characters and is one of the best of the Conan Doyle 'whodunits'.

The director, Graham Dimmock, said 'the forces of evil' still surrounded the story, as there had been quite a number of unforeseen difficulties presenting themselves during the rehearsal period!

However, the forces have been overcome and the excellent cast and crew will provide performances that are certain to delight the audiences.

Further details are on the website at http://www.tavonians.org.uk">www.tavonians.org.uk

Performances are on Thursday April 22, 7.30pm, Nicholls Hall, Lydford; Friday April 23, 7.30pm, Parish Hall, Meavy; Sunday April 25, 3.30pm and 7.30pm, town hall, Tavistock ; Friday April 30 and Saturday May 1, 7.30pm, Princetown Village Centre.

Tickets at £7.50 will be available from: BookStop, Market Street, Tavistock; The Castle Inn,  Lydford PO (Tues/Fri); Mary Tavy PO and Stores; The Royal Oak, Meavy; Yelverton Stores and Princetown Post Office and Stores or online at http://www.tavonians.org.uk">www.tavonians.org.uk