The Topeka state journal., 1899-04-19
BEN HUR IN DRAMA
Lew Wallace Permits Its Stag
ing by Klaw & ErIanger.
Author Gave Consent Only After
Great Pressure.
TO PRESERVE LESSONS
Religious Features of the Fam
Gus Book
To Be Carefully Safeguarded in
Its DramatiZatiOn.
TO PRESERVE LESSONS

Charlottesville, Ind, April 19.-"Ben
Hur'' is to be dramatized under the super
vision of Klaw and Erlanger and with
the consent of General Lew Wallace The
author made this statement here last
night with the accompanying assertion
that the religious features of his famous
book will be carefully Safeguardeu Wnen
it is rendered on the stage.
General Wallace has given his consent
publication of Ben Hur'' he has been be-
sieged with applications by managers and
renee Barrett the younger Salvini and
Kiralfys are among those who thus peu-
book could not be adapted to the stage
and it's religious features protected. He
is now satisfied this can and Will be done
STATEMENT BY THE AUTHOR.
"Yes, 1 have acceded to the request of
Klaw and Erlanger" said General wal
lace. Their representation OF their de-
sign of production was altogether new and
attracted me at once. The dignity OF the
story, as conceive it to be, was carefully
preserved and due regard was shown for
the religious opinion of all who might be
induced to attend a performance; AFTER
listening to their statement was impress
ed with an idea that the production. as
they would carry it out. would be IN per
feet harmony with the spirit of the work.
majority OF people are idcKlIB a4 IN Ii 1Ii1I
always be better for seeing an occurrence
feel sure, would be better satisfied if they
could be spectators in fact OF the exciting
points in the book.
TO BE PRODUCED NEXT SEASON
For instance, the chariot race as given
in the old Roman theaterS must have been
a scene stirring beyond the ordinary pow
ers of fancy. jerome. the great French
artist, has given us a picture o1o or race OF I
RelRsd: ,4 -0 a,..,a1, .-, 49,, +so ,,,or,s
adapted to the stage is to be used by Klaw
and Erlanger. In short, have all conf
ably handled by these gentlemen. un-
derstand from them that they will deal
fight, the chariot race and the Spectacular
scenes in the grove of Daphne-an this
without detracting from the religious at
mOsphere which perVades every chapter of
the book.
Il am reliably informed that they will
have it ready to produce next season.
CAUSE OF HIS HESITANCY.
"As 1 have stated, my refusal hitherto to
grant this permission has been due in a
great part to the subject of the book: 1t
goes to the extent of making Christ a
the Savior. and to that fact. doubtless. its
popularity is in a, a great measure s dye. =, l
reverence and at times the awe which
mysel1 was conscious OF d4rtng 1q IN @ the WIFI WITT
fhe Stage unless its production would be
regardful of the feeling and sentiment of
IN the next place I have had the fur
ther view that there were certain points in
the nature of climaxeS necessarily impos-
sible of rendition theatrically except with
outlay in money which few managers
would dare to attempt. Among these are
the sea fight the chariot .j race and the cru cru
effects 1 could not comprehend how either
of these cliInaXeS could be presented.
Il have always also had fear that
whoever should undertake the production
dramatically would fail to treat it in the
proper spirit of reverence. These are some
of the reasons why 1 have heretofore de-
clined to allow it to go on the stage.
quite number of persons well known
in the histrionic world have applied to me
for the privilege. Lawrence Barrett was
very persistent in his request. The last
time 1 saw him he spent an evening try
ing to convince me there was in the book
a theme for great play, without trench
ing upon any of the parts made sacred by
the appearance of the Savior. Still 1 de-
clined.
THE younger Salvini was also persistent
in his requests. He had the idea that he
would make excellent Ben Hur, and
was of the same opinion.
THE KiralfyS had prOdigiOuS scheme,
the main point of which was the chariot
race. They proposed leasing thirty acres
of ground on Staten island, of which two
acres were to be reserved and fitted up
for, that exhib1ton. l need not speak of
gave them a refusal The privilege has
also been asked of me by playWrightS in
England and in GERMANY