ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 188, 7 February 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE SPECKLED BAND." A brief synopsis of "The Speckled Band," one of London's latest successful dramas, which is to be presented for one night only under the auspices of J. C. Williamson, Ltd.; at the Theatre Royal, New Plymouth, on Friday night, is as follows:—In the first acti an enquiry is being held into the death of one of Dr. Rylott'a step-daughters. The other, Enid Stonor, is called as a witness, but fails to throw any light on the mystery of the death of her sister beyond proving that the step-father, Dr. Rylott, is to benefit under the will. In the second act we pass to the doctor's study, where we find that Rylott is a terrible fellow, "who practices all sorts of rascality, aided and abetted by his housekeeper and Ali, his Indian valet. With Ali, he has brought from India a fancy for snake-charming, whichhe uses to deadly purpose. The doctor, ■ by eajolery, cruelty and threats, endeavors to induce Enid to assign her property to him, and she finds herself a prisoner in her own home and in fear of her life. She is enabled, however, to, escape, J and, at the instance of Dr. Watson, seeks the advice of the eminent detective, Sherlock Holmes. In the scene at Sherlock Holmes' rooms, in Upper Baker street, we see the great detective in his .habit as he lived. He agrees to take up Enid's case, and, later, when he is confronted with Dr. Rylott, there is a fine scene between the deliberate, imperturbable detective and the furious, indignant doctor. Sherlock Holmes seeretly visits the doctor's house and finds his way to Enid's bedroom. The music of the snake-charm-er arrests his attention. He eya/minos the window, the floor, the bell-rope at the head of Enid's bed, and discovers that the latter is not connected witty any bell at all, but is in effect a rope round which a poisonous snake shall coil itself after being introduced through a hidden aperture in the wall. A thrilling scene follows, which culminates in the rescue of Enid and the death of Dr. Rylott and "The Speckled Band." The box plan is at Collier's. ]