Adapted by Craig Wichman Based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Directed by Gayle Stahlhuth ELTC invites you to be part of our “radio audience” when we perform this famous mystery with live sound effects and commercials, and actors portraying several roles to make the tale come to life. Before television and the Internet, people sat eagerly by the radio to hear the latest dramas, comedies, and news. Many radio shows were performed in front of live audiences at the same time they were sent across the “airways.” This radio-style production is based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by Craig Wichman, Founder and Producer of Quicksilver Radio Theater. The first time a Sherlock Holmes adventure was heard on the airways was October 20, 1930.  The Holmes’ tale was The Speckled Band, adapted by Edith Meiser.  Meiser proposed the idea for a Holmes’ radio show to NBC. At first, they passed on the idea for lack of a sponsor, so Meiser found one: G. Washington Coffee. Doyle died during the summer of 1930, but his estate entrusted the development of the series to Meiser and NBC.  Meiser, also an actress, wrote the series single-handedly for a dozen years, and with help through most of the 1940s.  No audiences were allowed during the early broadcasts. ​​Famous actor/playwright William Gillette, at age 77, starred in the radio show’s premiere.  It was he who had created the first stage adaptation of the writings of Doyle in 1899, under the title Sherlock Holmes.  Although he’d played the role over 1,000 times, he was uncomfortable with the radio format. Clive Brook replaced him for the next two performances.  Richard Gordon played the role from November 10, 1930, through May of 1933, and again in 1936.  Leigh Lovell and Harry West played Dr. Watson. From 1939 to 1946, Holmes and Watson were played by Basil Rathbone and  Nigel Bruce.  At the same time, they played these roles in 16 films. The Sherlock Holmes radio series continued through 1950.