THE SPECKLED BAND'

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10535, 23 January 1912, Page 4

THE SPECKLED BAND'

, AT THE TOW.. HALL. The presentation of Cona.n Doyle's latest Sherlock Holmes drama, "The Speckled Band," in the Masterton i Town Hall last evening, by Mr J. 0. | Williamson's Dramatic Company, | places another decided triumph to | their account, and the audience which filled all parts of the house showed consistent appreciation of the representation of the piece. "The Speckled Band" is in no way similar to nauy other Sherlock Hblimes play, and oii© has only to witness it" to realise that it is worthy of a top place among plays of recent years. The •story may be considered a literary achievement. The dramatic interest and human, and the intensity, of some of tile dramatic situations, is relieved by a vein, of light comedy , cleverly interwoven. The; four acts of the play a-re set in picturesque and appropriate surroundings, and the ensemble makes up a imtost delightful and absorbing dra- , imatic entertainment. The story, as indicated by its title, refers to a rare* snake : of.'the most venomous type,j which is mado use of by a clever; scoundrel, Dr Bylott, to poison one of his stepdaughters in order to ,se-' cure her money, and"would haye; made .'a/ivay '■ with, the other sister. ;fex~cei>t for \ esi ' The., famous.detective: enteKs,tlie,i as a^hitler;'j and intervenes ' just ;in ; time 'to rescue Enid Stonor from the same awful' fate. as. her sister. The- scene, in which "The Speckled Band" makes' its way through the .ventilator towards the bed of its victim is a remarkably clever piece* of work,' and holds the audience breathless. Mr William Desmond gave a distinctly, fine impersonation of Sherlock Holmes, and Mr Gaston Mervale as Dr Ryliptt' struck a" note that carried conviction from the beginning, his fine acting being enhanced by his impressive tone of vovice. Miss Dorothy Dix gave a clever character! Ration of Enid Sitoner,sustainins: especially well her final scene in the last act, which was most artistic and convincing. All the remaining parts had capable ex* ponents.