Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-09-27
sHELYE THEATRE OPENING.
"The Prince Of tho World" to Be
Given BY Stars Oct. 6.

Openeu W tne puOllC On SatuTuay
evening, Oct. s, by Hal Reid and
Bertha Belle Westbrook, the authors
and stars, and their excellent COM
pany. 1t will be fine performance
in as fine a theatre as Kansas can
show, one Of which Abilene may well
be proud. The Cheyenne. Wyo.,
Tribune Of Sept. ID, 1900, says OF the
company's performance:
"a really great play, company Of
unusual excellence, fine scenic effects
and realism in the shape Of cage Of
lions, came modestly into town last
evening and the performance at the
opera house scored one Of the great.
est hits seen in Cheyenne for some
time.
"In The Prince Of the World Mr..
Reid and Miss Westbrook, the authors
and stars, have property that will
live. 1t appeals to all classes-the
Jew, pagan, infdel, atheist, Moham.
medan and Christian can find pstruc.
tion and entertainment in the story
and the series Of historic, living pic.
lures which are presented in the play.
1.-THE authors have happily blended
biblical and Roman history, romance
and drama into o harmonious whole,
and so cleverly constructed and fitted
together is the play that the story is
both fascinating and instructive and
never lags or losses interest for
| moment. The Prince Of the World
is in a prologue and three acts, the
first Of which takes place in Jerusalem
and the play proper II years later in
Nero's palace in Rome.
1.-The prologue is most interesting
for the biblical characters and scenes
it produces. In it is introduced
Simeon, the leper; Peter, the apostle;
Judas Iscariot, the traitor; Pontius
Plate and other smaller characters
known to Bible history. The scene
serves to introduce the court Of
Plate, the denial Of Christ by Peter,
upon the growing Of the cock, the
betrayal Of Christ by Judas, the
cross and Calvary, and the dawn
there Of our Christianity. This pro.
logue is "a perfect little gem in Its
way and is finely acted by all con.
cerned.
1.-The rest OF the play is laid in the
palace OF Nero Caesar in Rome and
shows that weak, pitiable but power.
full monarch in the midst OF his gaye-
ties and excesses. 1t is the old, but
-tiring, story-the sweetest
story ever yet was told-of love, the
love OF q Christian maid for Roman
warrior and his espousal Of her cause
wins for him the throne Of a Caesar.
The story includes the attempt Of
Nero to add The Christian maiden to
his already famous list Of concubines,
her repulse, his brutal order to throw
her body into the cage Of bis iavorite
lions, which he keeps close at hand
for such purposes, the refusal OF the
lions to injure her, her rescue by
Galba, and other scenes OF note, all
well told and most excellently acted.
"Miss Westbrook gave charming
portrayal Of the sweet Christian
heroine, Lesia. II was delicate. re-
fined, powerful, and she met every
situation with surprising amount
Of strength. Mr.. Reid, in the dual
roles OF Simeon, the leper, and Galba,
the Roman general, gave a striking
impersonation Of the physical weak
ness OF the one and the material
strength Of the other, and in his love
scene with Lesia gave an exuisitely
dainty bit Of romantic comedy. Miss
Lillian Kemble was admirable as
Rubia, her handsome presence and
voice lending themselves splendidly
to the character OF Nero's mistress.
Mr.. Rising's Apollus was given in a
true comedy vain, and Messrs. sulli-
van, Hattonbach and the rest OF the
numerous comany added much to
giving a most interesting and success
ful performance which should be
seen by all our enlightened people"