There’s a mystery afoot at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center (CPAC). Can Sherlock Holmes solve the case before the murderer claims their next victim? Audiences will need to watch the play to find out!
“The Speckled Band: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” opens at CPAC on Feb. 23, and the play’s director, Aaron Ramsey, is certain this play will delight audiences in unexpected ways.
“All good mysteries keep their audiences from knowing what will come next,” says Ramsey, “and I believe we’ve done that.”
The play opens with the plight of Enid Stonor. Stonor’s sister recently died under tragic and mysterious circumstances at their family’s country manor. Terrified that she will face a similar fate, Stonor enlists the help of the world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson.
According to Ramsey, this production offers layers of mystery and complexity that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. “This show plays into a lot of themes,” Ramsey explains. “Abuse, kindness, narcissism, greed, bravery, grief, and heroism all play strong roles in the story and its characters.”
“The Adventure of the Speckled Band” was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the original creator and author of Sherlock Holmes. The play captures the magic of Doyle’s writing and his desire to show that things are not always as they first appear. The play invites its audience to explore the hidden nuances of the world and its denizens.
CPAC is offering “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” as part of its national award-winning Backstage Series. Production dates for the play are Feb. 23, 24, 27, 29, and March 1, 2 at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance is planned for Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.
Tickets for “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” are currently available online at www.cpactn.com and at the CPAC box office. The play’s run time is 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission. Concessions will be sold on site. For more information, call the CPAC box office at 931-528-1313.