Dirk Gently's holistic approach to detective work means that he believes in the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. This usually results in him visiting a beach in the Barhamas in the course of investigating the disappearance of a cat from West Hampsted, at great expense, of course, to the cat's elderly owner (if, indeed, they ever paid his bills).
It comes as no surprise then, that when Dirk Gently becomes involved in investigating the murder of Gordon Way - his old Cambridge room mate's employer - that he is far more interested in an old tutor's conjuring trick than the details of the murder. For once Dirk is right to persue an unusual line of investigation, a strategy that leads him not only to solving the crime, but also to saving the entire human race.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detetective Agenecy was put on by the Abingdon Old Gaol Theatre Company in the Unicorn Theatre, housed within the Abbey buildings in Abingdon. The play was based closely on the Douglas Adams book of the same name. Probably Douglas Adams' best book after the first in the Hitch Hikers series, it is nethertheless not the easiest to follow and the Company were brave to attempt the play. By following the book slavishly, the Company were forced to have a large number of scene changes and had difficulty telling the story. However the play was well acted and thoughly entertaining.
Strong performances were put in by the actors playing Dirk and Reg Chrontis, the time-travelling Cambridge Don. The Unicorn theatre provided an interesting and intimate - if a little cold - venue with mulled wine being a very welcome addition in the interval.
A brave adaptation of a complicated book, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency was local amateur dramatics at its best.
Karl
More pictures can be found on the Old Gaol Theatre Company Website.