Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-10-30

"a coming sea
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
on in the east with all the help that
the scene painter can furnish. That's
another.
Robert Downing is about to produce
a biblical play at the Central theater.
That's a third, and it's the nearest
at hand.
"Voice From the Wilderness" is the
name OF the piece and Robert Downing
is to take the leading part, that of
John the Baptist. The play was writ
ten by Edward Ellsner at Downing's
request, and was made as big as pos
sible in point of scenes and number of
people.
| Downing John the Baptist.
1t 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
consort of Tetrarch. She is 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 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 soldiery.
Plot of the Bible Play.
The guard, not finding John, prom
Uses to return. After their departure
the Man Of God appears before his
followers and is about to preach to
them when they are startled by the
approach of leper. They stone him
and cry: "Unclean, unclean." John
commands them to desist, and going
to the crouching 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.
The second act opens upon bril-.
liant assembly gathered in the gardens
at Herd Antipas. While feasting ant
games are in progress the assembl,
denounces John the Baptist for hi:
treasons and his teachings, which b,
is then delivering outside the very
gates OF the palace Herod in angel
commands that he be brought before
him, but when John appears his com
handing presence and spiritual bear
ing captivate the Prince. He is lott
to heed the clamors of his courtiers
and would set him free were 1t no
that John refuses to cease preaching
The mobiles and slaves surround hin
and strike him down, and Herodias
appearing, requests that he be turnet
over to her for punishment and tor
ture. She, too, recognizes in him ,
mysterious power which she is unabl,
to resist, and as her spouse depart
with his court she falls on her knee
before the prophet of the Messiah
She begs that he will not denounc
John and Herodias.
| 49,. ond that he axhibft ,,,aroxy f1,. hay
John tells her that she must return t,
her lawful husband and look to heav
en- for grace. He spurns her offer o
affection, and In the midst of thi
scene Herod returns. John upbraid
them both for their sinful association
and this rouses Herod to such pitc
OF anger and fury that he command
that the conscientious preacher b
given over to the tortures until he re
penis.
Herodias Pleads with Him.
Q The rack is brought in and John
subjected to its painful infections. A
the while Herodias, in frenzy, beg
> of him to repent and forgo his teach
L ings, but John refuses. During thi
II scene, the followers Of the proph,
> have gathered in force and crush l
q the gates to the palace yard. The
IL make an onslaught on the guard
|. whom they drive away, and rush t
" ward Herod and Herodias, whom the
N threaten with death. The curtain fal
N upon the scene with John standing b,
10 fore his followers, his arms outstretcl
n ed, commanding peace. while the to
ror stricken prince and princess of ],
iea crouch behind him.
ie The Woman Scorned.
The third act is very emotional al