A collection of historic reviews and articles on Sherlockian theatrical performances from contemporary newspapers.

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The Sign of the Four
1906
October 7 - 10: Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
October 18: Thatcher Opera House, Logan, Utah, USA
November 2: The Auditorium, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
November 9: The Keylor Grand, Walla Walla, Washington, USA

1907
November 28 - 30: Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

1910
20 - 26 March: Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

(Information above on performance dates is derived from newspaper archives and is therefore likely to be incomplete.)

GRAND THEATRE

Conan Doyle’s attractive story, “The Sign of the Four,” one of the best of his Sherlock Holmes series, crowded the Grand theater last night, and in the character Sherlock Holmes, Theodore Lorch is given an exceptional opportunity to display his ability In a role that requires a master of the actor’s art. The Interesting play will be the attraction at the Grand theatre during the entire week.

For scenic value, always of the London flavor, ranging from the study of a practitioner down to haunts of wharf rats, the play is a gem. And the costumes and general air of those of the Theodore Lorch company supporting the cast show the play to have been given most minute preparation in its staging. Every movement of Theodore Lorch and those of the supporting company is clean cut, and withal there Is a mingling of mystery.

The story of “The Sign of the Four” has been drummed through the ears of readers with unusual thoroughness, but regardless of that its dramatization brings forth so many delightful Interpretations of the novel that it is a revelation to see it over footlights. When Holmes is tied to a post in the Smith boathouse, while a fuse sputters and burns nearer and nearer to the keg of powder that has been set to kill him, he is too proud of his profession to ask for assistance, though it be at hand, but instead lowers a cigar that he is smoking until it touches a rope that binds him. The lighted cigar severs the rope, and unassisted he frees himself and hurls the powder keg Into the Thames.

Ralph Belmont presents an excellent portrayal of Dr Watson. Harry Taylor is in the eastern character Tonga, while Fred Doty has a good conception of Mr Wiggins. Miss Cecile Fay is Bessie, in which she proves a winner of much applause and Lillian Brockwell impersonates Mary Morston.

Salt Lake Herald-Republican, Monday 21 March 1910