The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-04-05
THE aPAssIoN Ply,

New York Tribune: Salmi Morse'sN
wish has at last been gratifled. The
obstacles thrown in his way have been
surmounted, and for once, at least, he
has had the satisfaction of presenting
his much talked-of play, "The Passion"
in New York. Last evening his house
was crowded with friends, whom he had
invited TO witness private performance.
Fortune favored him; and amid oft re-
peated marks Of approval the six acts
were presented without hitch.
Long before the doors were opened
those who possessed invitations began TO
appear, and by fifteen minutes of 8 every
seat in the house was occupied. After
that there were fresh arrivals in such
numbers that Captain Williams, who
was present, directed the doors to be
present. The lobby was soon filled with
excited and indignant persons, who pro-
tested against their exclusion. In vain
they fourished their invitations in the
face Of the captain; in vain they threat
ened, pleaded, begged; the house was
already full to a dangerous limit, he
said, and he could not be moved. By
eight O'Clock the sidewalk in front was
packed with people and still every stage
and car that passed continued to pour
out additions to the already great crowd.
Again and again was the assurance
given that no more persons would be
admitted, and large numbers went re-
gretfully away, but others continued to
press closely around the doors until
Captain Williams used force to make
them disperre. At the stage door in
Twenty fourth street q smaller crowd
had collected, and with difficulty the
doorkeeper restrained people from fore
ing an entrance.
The asemblage inside was made up OF
respectable people, among them being q
large sprinkling of Hebrews. The
house is small and plain, with seating
capacity, It is said. of $1,000. while the
stage is wide and roomy. The orches
ira is placed under the stage, and there
are no private boxes. At ten minutes
past 8 the unornamented red curtain, Al
which the audience had been gazing fol
so long, was raised, and the Temple
with its peculiar, twisted columns, wa.
disclosed to view. The High Prizes
stood in the center before the altar, will
the Levites on one side and number o
women on the other. In the rear wa
the Ark, and the Moulton Sea supported
by the golden lions. The women haC
assembled with their children forty day
after the circumcision to have then
blessed. After the opening chorus O
the priests, the Virgin comes forwar'
|, with her child, and then witch appear
who predicts trouble and misfortune.
messenger from Herod arrives and il
sisls upon seeing the child, Jesus, whor
he attempts to stab. But his arm
: paralyzed, and the knife drops from hi
= hand. The act closes with the Halle
i lujah chorus.
: Loud applause followed the lowerin
of the curtain, and there were calls fC
"Morse" which would admit of no d.
3 NAL. When the author appeared an
the cheers which greeted him had sui
+ sided, he said:
: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: / hay
i much on my mind, but my heart is ful
. and 1 will say, therefore, only a fe
= words to you. After all my trouble
II happiness has at last come to me, and
e thank you for the kindness with whic
J. you have greeted "The Passion"
T. The five following acts were equal
t we'll received, the scenery in each beir
c. tasteful, and faithful, it is said, to hi
/ tory. Christ appears first in the four
D. act, at the Brook of Kedron, with b
n twelve disciples, and again in the IF
act, before Pontius PLATE. which is pc
~ hsps the strongest act in the play. The
10 are the only two acts IN which the S
vior appears.