The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently received a request, through my phonograph website, from the Prop Manager for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, NH. The playhouse would like to know if someone can loan or rent a cylinder phonograph to be used at the Inaugural Season of the new theater at Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, NH. The Production is "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. " The show runs from July 3-13, but they would prefer to have the machine by June 23, for rehearsals.

The phonograph need not be in working condition but it is an integral part of the plot (those of you who are familiar with this Sherlock Holmes story may recall Holmes and Watson listening to opera star, Irene Adler, on the cylinder phonograph and Holmes' smittened observation that "it was the voice of love.")

I would be happy to loan one of my machines but rather than shipping across state lines, I wonder if there is a collector in NH who may be willing to loan a phonograph to the playhouse for this production. If so, please reply by PM or on this board and I will connect you with Laura Stephan, the prop manager, at the Playhouse

Thanks, Anil

I've done machines for stage work before. I believe that I still have a Home that is set up for operation as a "practical", with a loudspeaker driver in the place of the reproducer, which speaks through the horn. the machine can be fitted with either a 14" witches hat, a Morning glory or brass belled horn on a crane, or a Cygnet. It has been used in productions in New York, Boston, Washington D. C. and Cleveland The effect of the practical driver speaking through the horn is quite striking, and utterly believable. I'm over in MI, so am farther away form Merideth than you, but could help out if necessary.

Thanks for the reply..I have send you an email and we can take this offline with the Playhouse prop manager...

anil