Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-19
DRESSES IN THE PASSION PLAY
The Characters in Their Costumes.


AEehearsal of the ''PassiOn Play'' was
given last evening, the chorus and princi-
pals appearing for the first time i'll their
costumes. 1t was not full dress rehear-
sal, Mr.. Salmi Morse said, but was simply
q ssrehearsal to try the costumes" no
attempt was made by the police last night
to interfere, although Corporation Co1n-
sci Andrew had told Mayor Edison yester-
day that, in his opinion, Salmi
Morse would violate the law if he
carried out his Intention of giving
a full dress rehearsal. Mayor Edison
at once wrote to Police Commissioner
French, informing him of the opinion and
instructing him to take the necessary
steps to prevent the performance. Act
| ing Superintendent ThOrne had also said
| that he would not permit the dress rehear-
sal to go on. For this reason, Mr.. Morse
did not call it full dress rehearsal last
night, Mr.. Morse said last evening that
he thought there might be some interfel-
ence tonight, when a regular full
dress rehearsal will be given. He had
put the whole matter in the hands
Of his counsel, and probably an iniunc-
tion would be obtained to-day restraining
the police from any interference, He
did not see how the police could lawfully
interfere with his rehearsals, to which
only few friends We're invited, and to
see which no money was charged. He
had invited Capt. Williams to be present.
and the invitation had been accepted. Mr.
MOrse's troubles did not consist in this
matter alone last night, as on entering
his theatre, after visit to his lawyers, he
was greeted by the orchestra with a
refusal to proceed in the rehearsal unless
they were paid at once, 0Why, had the
checks in my hand at the time for them"
said Mr.. Morse.
Meanwhile the rehearsal had been de-
layed, and it was after eight when the
curtain rose ON the presentation of the
9abe Christ at the temple ID ID this scene the
~ *ho oU 49, mOii'04 e dressed in the costume
- 'Ho ..me. The dress of the Levites was
taken from the description in Leyiticus,
and consisted of white robes with brown
girdles, the edge of the garment at the
bottom being trimmed with green fringe.
In the second act it took over an hour to
set a scene which lasted only three min
utes, representing the flight into Egypt
and the massacre of the infants. The
scenery in this act showed the mountains
of Judea. The scene when the mothers
are rushed upon by the Roman soldiers
was realistic and the tableau was
striking. In the third act the scenery is
most elaborate. 1t represents the dance
of Salome before HerOd, and takes place
in the palace of Herod. In the large
audience room of the palace the furniture
is enscr0lled with HerOd's coat of arms.
The dresses of HerOdias and SalOme were
gorgeous, that of the former consisting of
a satin skirt heavily embroidered with
gold and brocaded with gold passion
flowers and leaves. Over this was thrown
a loose robe of blue material also richly
embroidered. Her crown was of gold
shekels. SalOme's dress was also of white.
with a long. flowing red robe. The dance
music was Syriac, and it was danced by
Salome and her maids in a graceful man.
ner. The fourth act represents Christ and
His disciples at the brook Kedron. The
person taking this character was clad in
white merinO tOga, with talma of blue
color of the same material. The wig was
of auburn color and a blonde beard was
worn. 1t was after 10 O'Clock before the
fourth act was finished. Tonight an at
tempt will be made to 60 through the en-
tire play unless its performance is stopped
by the police. Several of the scenes were
applauded last night by the one hundred
persons who were present.