0085: The Speckled Band (radio play)

THE ORIGINAL TREE WORSHIPPERS OF ROCK COUNTY MEETING MINUTES

DATE
Saturday, July 8, 2017
2:21 p.m.

LOCATION
Hedberg Public Library Public Meeting Room

MEMBERS PRESENT
Resa Haile, Dawn Kabor, Elaine Khan, Dale Lucht, Bryan Pike, Gayle Lange Puhl, Linda Robinson

CHARTER MEMBER

James Haile

DISCUSSION

Dawn: Comparison of play vs. story: In the play, Watson is a friend of Enid’s (Helen in the story) rather than coming into it with Sherlock Holmes. Mr. Armitage is a juror in the play/fiancé in the story. Dawn liked Armitage’s persistence in the play. Then he suggests Holmes be brought in. Wouldn't a snake bite leave holes? The doctor doesn't examine and find them.

Several people said “The Speckled Band” was their favorite story.

Linda said there was very little Sherlock in the play. It’s driven by other characters. It seemed like a setup for a spinoff with Mr. Armitage.

Dawn noted it was a whistle in the story and a flute in the play. Resa added that another character was brought in to play the flute.

Linda said the ending was abrupt. Resa suggested that Holmes seemed like a bad pastiche of himself or Gillette’s Holmes in the play version. Julie thought they developed the female character and gave her more emotional substance than in the typical story.

Dawn asked what set off Grimesby Roylott/Rylott? Julie noted they talked about his family having mental issues.

Linda pointed out that if it’s a production where you can’t see the setting very well, it wouldn't be clear it’s a snake. Dawn said that in the original play, they used a small boa constrictor and a critic said it was fake.

A discussion of snakes’ inability to hear, drink milk, and climb ropes followed.

Resa noted that in the story, Helen goes to Holmes for help on her own, while in the play, Armitage has to convince Enid, and she does so more to save him than to save herself. She has more agency in the original story.

MISCELLANY
Resa showed the iDoyle app on her phone, which tells “A Scandal in Bohemia” interactively with music and movement. The reader can pull open a drawer and move a light close to study the stationery, among other things.

NEXT MEETING

Part 2 of “The Speckled Band” radio play.

Minutes prepared by Resa Haile.