The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-11

Ben Hur. tale of Christ in pantomini /
form, WAS presented last night at thi
u opera house, aud the EAGLE never expert
IS enced so much pleasure IN attesting TIT
8 success OF al entertainment III the Craw.
4 ford Grand as IL does in this case.
, 1t Is refreshing to see such an entertain
ment in these days OF theatrical monstros
tiles. and 1t is IA genuine pleasure to be
; able to endorse it without any mental
reservation whatever.
One hundred aud forty-sx characters
e took part in it, at least 100 of whom were
, the most talented daughters of the Peer
less Princess. The selection of such an
array OF local talent WAS greater tri-
umph than the drilling OF them, for it
seemed that every character could not be
excelled in the part assigned him Or her,
or, rather, her or him, for the ladies Ger
tainly are entitled 10 precede the gentle
men in this case, and this statement is
no reflection on the male per
formers by any means. Before
going farther it is absolutely Just To com
pliment Mr., and Mrs. Waller and Rev.
Eugene Shipper on the victory they have
scored in this one particular,
The story Of Ben Hur," as presented,
is told in pantomime from beginning 10
The end aud is illustrated by characters in
the most gorgeous costumes. which seem
TO represent all the wealth of the ideal
Orient Of ancient times The play is en-
rlched by the most magnificent scenery
Imaginable; in fact it is stated that there
are no less than thirty-five different and
distinct stage settings, which are
handled almost with the speed OF cleo
tricity, which materially heightens the
grand effect. Calcium lights of various
! colors are cast alternately on the scenery
with results that never fail to draw forth
the admiration of the audience. The en-
tertaiument opens with ii perfect desert
scene showing the meeting OF the three
/ wise men of the east on their journey to
| Bethlehem. On one corner of the stage Is
a pack camel that looked almost as natural
as life itself. The scene changes immedi-
! ately after the wise men have embraced
one another and partaken OF rsfreshments
IN true oriental style, and Immediately a
beautiful scene representing the gates of
Joppa challenges the admiration of the
audience. In this scene Mary and Joseph
appear and then tina admiration OF the au-
dience changes to reflection on those |
sublime thoughts usually produced by any
hint at the coming OF the Son of Man.
The third scene represents the gate of
ancient Demascus and e beautiful scene /
it is too, its ancient glory enriched by the |
beauties of modern art. Here the three !
wise men, clad in strictly ancient uniforms |
parley with the guard who says: Whom |
seek We, Herod ?" They proclaim that |
there is a greater than Herod.
The fourth scene represents the palace
Of Herod, the three wise men here pros
trate themselves, after the manner of that
place and age before the famous king, who
presents them with gifts
The fifth scene represents the imperial
gardens with their wealth of magnificent
plants etc This is q beautiful scene
which should be seen to be appreciated.
This stage of the performance represents
the story after lapse of tweuJ-one years
after the birth of Christ. Here Ben Hur |
and MESSIAH have an interview aud part
enemies The sixth scene represents the
house tops in which birds eye view of an
ancient city is presented. La this scene
the laws of perspective are so strictly OBJ
served that one imagines himself peering
at the curious house tops through "a vista
of twenty centuries as if time had been re-
ana his mother appear rs il to add further
evidences of reality to the scene.
The seventh scene represents the streets
of grand old Jsrusalem in all their ancient
glory Nobody with any spark of venrra-
tion for departed greatness could resist
swelling admiration for this scene. Just
think of the city of Solomon for moment,
and listen to the thoughts it will suggest;
Il lo,o -, Ill Sc i'll ~, Z
debris of crumbIed ages removed from it.
In this scene the parade and grand drill of
the Roman soldiers takes place.
The eighth scene represents the house
tops again, and the arrival Of Ben Hur |
mother and sister. |,
The ninth scene represents the
imperial gardens In this scene 7
the butterfly dance takes place. ,
This dance is participated 10 by a dozen
little girls handsomely dressed 10 contrast
ed colors and their merry and graceful
movements under glare Of rapidly chang
ing calcium lights appeal to the admira-
ton OF the audience who cheer az every
movement made by the talented little I
ladies who seem TO be veritable bur, -rffes. I
Scene tenth represents Roman galley !
apparently on the heaviug bosom !
Of an excited ocean. The construction of /
this scene is the most magnificent triumph :
Of art ever witnessed 10 this city Here 7
Ben Hur saves the life of Arrius Tor I
" ich be is adopted.
The eleventh scene represents the grove
Of Daphne. Here the priestesses appear in
gay reyelry, indulge in very captivating
lance IN which they use scarfs. This
lance is participated in by a dozen or I
more handsome young LADIES', elegantly s
dressed, and the happy manner IN which 2
hey trip the light fantastic toe Is sure 70 I
Iriug forth the admiration OF the audience. \
After the prestesses come the drill OF the a
laiads, body composed Of a score or more q
tall Young ladies THIS =
irill is 4 splendid treat and makes very >
interesting scene under the management +
f be calcium lights II man has that q
rue taste Tor the bszutifai IL female form :
evsae he Should see these Young ladies' to :
y convinced thar there = nothing more =
ttrSCi!ve IN human nature. a
here also We SEE the fountain OF Cas-
alias BslthHzer, Nal.uck. IrAs, MessaAz
u1 Ben Hug.
Scene twelve IS the orchard II palms, a
-uly magnificent scene Bea Hur arrives -.
IA IS received by Sheik ude-.m =
The thirteenth scroe i extremely beau -
fuL II represents = lake by moonlight :.
q when tarre Is "a boat calmly resting =.
aiie &c It Irss i tillin. the ears u Ben :,
az w.th Der charming soag TINS >ceae =,
Sc represents wonderful mechanical =
lgInpu Ia tasa;r; al arr.
Zee fourteenth scene represents the hoase -