The Royal Canadian Theatre Company is opening its 2017/18 season with The Hound of the Baskervilles, which will come to New West as part of a Lower Mainland Tour this month. The Anvil Centre shows are set for Oct. 20 and 21.

The play, adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic, tells the familiar story of what happens following the death of Sir Charles Baskerville. The only heir to his fortune is Sir Henry Baskerville, who is in mortal danger: a black beast in the shape of a monstrous dog has been seen on the moor, and, according to a family curse, it will kill any member of the Baskerville family it happens upon.

“Dr. Watson meets many interesting – and odd – characters during the course of his investigations, including the butler and his wife, the beautiful Cecile, her ominous brother Stapleton, and a strange local hermit. Or is he? And where is Holmes?” Enter Sherlock Holmes (played by Michael Charrois) and Dr. Watson (Steven Weller) to solve the mystery. They’re joined by Jonathan Mason as Sir Henry in what’s described as a “fast-paced and uproariously comic” version of the famous story.

Having the production onstage at Anvil Centre marks a homecoming of sorts for The Royal Canadian Theatre Company, which has its roots in the former Raymond Burr Performing Arts Centre. The Burr Theatre, which closed in 2005, was led by founding artistic director Ellie King, who is now at the helm of The Royal Canadian Theatre Company.

King will be bringing three plays to New Westminster in the 2017/18 season, including the panto Sinbad, The Pirates and the Island of the Dinosaur at Massey Theatre in January, and the comedy Funny Money at the Anvil Centre in March.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is onstage Friday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 21 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.