When Sir Charles Baskerville is killed under mysterious circumstances Holmes sends Watson to Devon to protect the new heir of Baskerville Hall from the mythical black dog that stalks their family line.

Diss Mercury: The Seagull Rep Theatre Company will tour the region with a brand new show - a stylish adaptation of Sherlock Holmes classic Hound of the Baskervilles. Picture: Seagull RepThe Seagull Rep Theatre Company will tour the region with a brand new show - a stylish adaptation of Sherlock Holmes classic Hound of the Baskervilles. Picture: Seagull Rep (Image: Archant)

So begins the most famous case of Sherlock Holmes.

Lowestoft-based Seagull Rep's exciting re-imagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic, Hound of the Baskervilles, is coming to Diss with an all-female, multi-role playing cast starring Charlotte McGuinness, Henri Merriam and Helen Vine.

Diss Mercury: Charlotte McGuinness who appear in Hound of the Baskervilles in Diss. Picture: Seagull RepCharlotte McGuinness who appear in Hound of the Baskervilles in Diss. Picture: Seagull Rep (Image: Archant)

The production, which arrives as part of a tour of the region, is described as a vibrant theatrical experience infused with elements of physical comedy, stand-up, dynamic movement and a pop soundtrack.

Directed and adapted by East Anglian actor, writer and director Mark Finbow, he said: "The supernatural and superstitious elements of the story are so prevalent in the novel and we've really pulled those elements out further for the production, exploring how and why we react in the way we do to the unknown and unearthly.

Diss Mercury: Henri Merriam who appear in Hound of the Baskervilles in Diss. Picture: Seagull RepHenri Merriam who appear in Hound of the Baskervilles in Diss. Picture: Seagull Rep (Image: Archant)

"And we couldn't ignore the fact the Hound is inspired by our very own Black Shuck."

Karen Read, manager of the Seagull Theatre, where the company is based, said: "We are thrilled to see the full version of Hound of the Baskervilles begin its tour. It's fitting that the journey starts and finishes here at the Seagull where the piece was born in last year's development workshop."

The production also embraces the suspected local origins of Conan Doyle's inspiration for the hound itself, Norfolk's own legend of Black Shuck.

It is thought that in 1901 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle took a golfing holiday in West Runton and Cromer in Norfolk where he heard the tale of Black Shuck.

The following year he published 'The Hound of The Baskervilles'.

Mr Finbow is also working with Weird Norfolk to explore other local folk tales, inviting members of the public to share their Norfolk and Suffolk folklore stories or experiences of paranormal events as part of Weird Norfolk's latest podcast and to input into the production.

- The Hound of The Baskervilles will be performed at Diss Corn Hall on October 4, 7.30pm, £10 (£9 under-18s), 01379 652241, disscornhall.co.uk