The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1901-09-27

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son.
Richard Mansfield Is to open his sea-
son with a splendid scenic production
laid In Judea at the time Of the coming
OF the Redeemer. That's one.
w. a. Brady has taken In hand Clay
Greenes Nazareth" II will be put
on in the east with all the help that
the scene painter can furnish That's
another.
Robert Downing is about to produce
biblical play at the Central theater.
That's third. and It's the nearest
at hand.
Voice From the wilderness" Ia the
name Of the piece and Robert Downing
Is 10 take the leading part. that OF
John the Baptist The play was writ
ten by Edward Ellsner at .Downings
request, and was made as big as pos
slble in point OF scenes and number OF
people.
Downing ~ John the baptist
II Is written about the character OF
John the Baptist and abides pretty
closely by the Scripture story OF his
career The exception TO this is In the
tale inserted concerning Herodias. the
eonsort OF Tetrarch. She ia made In
the play to become enamored OF John
and on this fact hinges the plot
The first act shows John and his
followers In a rocky wilderness skirt
Ing the River Jordan. Mount oliyet
appears In the distance. The sleeping
pilgrims are discovered by the Roman
guard which comes In quest OF the
preacher AS daylight appears the pill
grims gradually awaken from their
slumbers and are held In awe by the
presence OF the aoldlery.
riot OF the Bibls Play.
The guard. not finding John. prom
ises to return. After their departure
the Man OF God appears before his
followers and Ia about to preach 10
them when they are startled by the
approach Of leper. They stone him
and cry: rUnclean. unclean." John
commands them TO desist. and going
to the erouchlng outcast, he gives him
comfort. saying: Never shalt thou
be a scorn in the sight OF heaven"
The Roman guards then reappear
and the captain reads to John the
mandate OF Herod prohibiting him
from preaching John sends back TO
the Prince his determination TO carry
on his mission and TO tell OF him who
is to come over under the very gates
OF Herod's palace.
A brilliant scene.
Tho second act opens upon bril-
liant assembly gathered In the gard Ems
at Herd Antlpas While feasting and
games are In progress the assembly
denounces John the Baptist for his
treasong and his teachings, which he
is then delivering outside the very
gates OF the palace, Herod In anger
commands that he be brought before
him. but when John appears his com
handing presence and spiritual bear
ing captlyate the Prince He is 10th
to heed the clamors OF his courtlers.
and would set him free were II not
that John refuses to cease preaching.
The mobiles and slaves surround him
and strike him down, and Herodias.
appearing. requests that he be turned
over 10 her for punishment and tor
ture. She, too. recognizes In him a
mysterious power which she Ia unable
to resist, and as her spouse departs
with his court she falls on her knees
before the prophet OF the Messiah,
She begs that he will not denounce
John and Herodlas.
her and that he exhibit mercy for her.
John tells her that sine must return 10
her lawful husband and look TO heav-
en- for grace. He spurns her Offer OF
affection. and in the midst Of this
scene Herod returns. John upbraids
them both for their sinful association.
and this rouses Herod to such a pitch
OF anger and fury that he commands
that the conscientious preacher be
given over to the tortures until he re-
pents.
HerodiAs Pleads with Him.
The rack is brought In and John is
subjected to its painful infections. All
the while Herodlas, in a frenzy. begs
OF him to repent and forgo his teach
ings. but John refuses. During this
scene, the followers OF the prophet
have gathered In force and crush In
the gates 10 the palace yard. They
make an onslaught on the guards
whom they drive away. and rush to-
ward Herod and Herodias, whom they
threaten with death The curtain falls
upon the scene with John standing be-
fore his followers, his arms outstretch-
ed, commanding peace, while the ter
ror stricken prince and princess Of Ju-
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