Sherlock Holmes - 11 - The Sign of Four

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Since the fall of "A Study in Scarlet" is suffering from London's famous master detective under terrible boredom. When he already takes back to drugs out of sheer frustration, Mary Morstan appears in Baker Street. This obtains for years by a unfamiliar precious pearls as a gift. Now the anonymous benefactor wants to meet with her for the first time. Understandably, she is afraid the young woman a little before this encounter and therefore asks Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson for assistance.

For production:
Just like in the previous episode (10 - The Vampire of Sussex and others), it is in "The Sign of Four" to the re-release of Titania-production from the series "crime classic", in addition to some works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (22.05.1859-07.07.1930), also stories of Edgar Wallace were set to music. Accordingly arises for the fans of the first hour after the question of whether a second purchase is worthwhile. The two versions differ only by a minute addition has come, which is attributable to the use of other music of the pure runtime ago.
The content still looks sound experience but completely different. While the "old" version rather sober fails and sometimes reminiscent of an intimate play, this version sounds much closer and more vivid. This is not only because of the additionally mixed music, but also to newly inserted noises.
The script by Marc Group holds, apart from a few subtleties times, pretty much to the literary work and should thus satisfy "Holmesianer". The action is fluid and very well told, without sacrificing one or the other exhilarating scene. A special highlight is of course the action-packed finale, which one would not have dramatic can make.
As already mentioned, this revised version hears much more sophisticated than in the first publication. Besides the already known, classical wind and string instruments, synthesizers and electric guitars come here increasingly being used. Protracted tones create from the very beginning an ominous feeling that pervades the whole radio play. Most tunes were retained and fall, matching the event, sometimes cheerful and lively, then bleak again and carrying out. Of course one has also expanded the soundscape accordingly, and so gets the listener in addition to the already known roaring log fire, the rustling of paper or dishes clattering, nor offered more sounds, such as additional animal sounds at the pet store.

Among the speakers:
What has assembled a great team spokesman Titania here! Joachim Tennstedt (Sherlock Holmes) makes a little vain and to the police condescending detective with a lot of derision in his voice, supported by his faithful friend and chronicler Detlef Bierstedt (Dr. Watson). Since Watson even in love, flirting and Bierstedt may reduce not only the sometimes confused, forever astonished companions. Although it does not matter much for the plot, not missing Regina Lemnitz (Mrs. Hudson) in this episode. Unlike other stories, they are here all the courteous, more demure housekeeper with the big heart. Janina Sachau (Mary Morstan) has just the right soft voice, to embody the likeable young woman in distress, but boastful highlight for me is clearly Peer Augustinksi (Thaddeus Sholto) as friendly, but extremely nervous man who unjustly want to make amends , Augustinski is acting so intense that they virtually "mitlebt" as listeners every emotion. Less emotional, but all the more amusing, is Christian Rode (Inspector Jones) as arrogant cop who suffers apparently on a permanent cold and in the end is dependent on the assistance of the master detective. Heinz Ostermann (Jonathan Small) forms with his raspy voice a perfect choice for the dark character he embodied. The same applies to Jürg Löw (Major Sholto) who turns into a fearful, distraught people of superior, self-satisfied character. Alexander Doering (Bartholomew Sholto) is convincing as initially friendly man, but the spoils greed and Dagmar of Kurmin (Mrs. Bernstone) is fun as excited, completely overwhelmed by the events staff. A successful portrait of the stiff, reserved Butlers comes from Friedrich Schoenfelder (Williams), and Herbert Schäfer (McMurdo) merges into his brutish gatekeeper figure. Arianne Borbach (Mrs. Smith) clamored and swears, as required by their part as feisty wife of a Thames boat lender, and Lucas Mertens (Wiggins) is good as a shrewd young leader of Holmes' street troupe. The first extremely rude zeternde dog owners Lothar Didjurgis (Mr. Sherman) sounds as convincing as the second appearance by Dagmar von Kurmin (Mrs. Cecil Forrester) as a garrulous friend of Mary. Two other small parts, the submissive Indian servant and the naughty son of Mrs. Smith, left without role assignment.

Conclusion:
Excellent revision that makes radio play even better than it already was.