YORK Theatre Royal's pantomime super-villain David Leonard takes the title role in summer show Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles.

This wildly entertaining version will be told by a travelling troupe of lightning-fast Victorian players, with David heading up a cast of six actor-musicians who will each play a variety of different roles.

David, who is a York Theatre Royal pantomime regular, was last seen playing Herman Vermin in Dick Whittington (and his meerkat) and will be playing the lead role of Sherlock Holmes.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of Conan Doyle’s best-known Sherlock Holmes mystery stories. Set on Dartmoor, it tells the tale of the legend of the Baskerville family as they are haunted and hunted by a gigantic hound, whose appearance announces their impending death. As the latest member of the family succumbs to the curse, Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Dr John Watson assist the heir to the estate by investigating the mystery before someone else comes to a grisly end.

Taking the story back to its original gothic Victorian roots is award-winning designer Mark Walters, who recently designed the 2015/16 pantomime for York Theatre Royal at the Signal Box Theatre at the National Railway Museum.

Musical director and cast member Rob Castell will be setting the legend and tales of the hound to a brand new score to be performed and sung by the cast members David Leonard, Rachel Dawson, Joanna Holden, Ed Thorpe and Elexi Walker.

Director Damian Cruden said: "We are looking forward to creating an exciting fun-filled piece of entertainment for all ages for this year's York Theatre Royal summer production.

"The cast has great singing and musical skills, as well as being fantastic actors, so we are certain that this show will be engaging for all the family. An atmospheric and exciting mystery along with some surprises awaits everyone in our beautiful newly-refurbished theatre space."

Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles will take place at York Theatre Royal from Friday to Saturday, August 27. Performance times are 7pm with 2.30pm matinees.

For more information, go to yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or phone 01904 623568.