The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-02-21
"Ben Hul'''

Klaw and Changers original produc-
ton of Ben Hur," with cast, scenery,
equipment, horses and camels, begins
limited engagement at the Academy of
Music, Baltimore, Monday, February 9th.
This imposing spectacle is sermon in
varied speech, illustrated by art and
music Its trend of suggestion is for
ward and upward. The curtain rises on
the tableau of the Three Wise Men in the
Desert and the flaming Star of Bcthle-
hem, the mems hands raised in awe and
reverence as they group about their
camcls. The dreamy waste of aridity is
wonderfully impressive. Then comes the
brilliantly colored pictures of the house
tops of Jerusalem, the terrace of the
Palace of Hur. Next is one of the great
scenes of the play-the dim interior Of the
Roman gallery ship--the muscular, grim
vsaged slaves tugging in rhythmic motion
at the oars, then the wreck, Ben Hur and
his captain struggling in the waves. The
scene changes to the home of Simonides,
moment later comes the vision of the
sunlit Grove of Daphne with the Superb
temple, reared to the God Apollo; Roman
maidens dance joyously, but the central
| figure is Ben Hur, the soldier, stern and
unrelenting.
Again the scene changes, and we are at
the Fountain of Castalia-a lake dancing
in the pale moonlight, with gliding boats
and tlowery shores in the cool gray
shadows-with Iras, the Egyptian, trying
the wiles of Cleopatra on Ben Hur.
| After this is the chariot race, probably
the most wildly thrilling moving picture
that the stage has ever known. rumble
is heard in the background, the hurrying
CHATTER of horses feet Two charlots,
each drawn by four horses, form the
centre of the picture. The animals with
| far stretched necks and dilated nostrlls,
run like mad, urged on by the whips of
the characters, Ben Hur and his deadly
enemy, Messiah. The wheels of the
chariots rumble and sway. Now Hur is
ahead, now Messiah, then Hur again, and
the race is won.
The last scene is Il fitting climax to the
brilliant stage pictures. 1t represents the
| Vale of Hinnom, which becomes trans
parent, revealing the Mount of Olives
and the City of Jerusalem. Great multi
tudes come out to greet the Nazarene,
singing hymns of praise and alteration
The miracle of the cleansing of the lepers
is performed, but Christ's personality is
is not represented, His presence is indl'
Gated by great shaft Of white light
which tradition says was reflected from
His person Ben Hur, his mother and
sister are united amid a great chorus of
anksgiving, swelling out from the hill
sides all around, as the final curtain
falls
The music, which Edgar Stillman kel
lev has composed for the production, has
much to do with the success of Ben IL ur
1t is scholarly and creditable alike for its
dignity and serious purpose.
To present the remarkable play no less
than $50 people are required. In the
chariot race there are twelve horses con
testing, but four more trained animals are
always kept close by in case of accident
Ben Hur" will remain at the Academy
of Music, Baltimore for limited engage
ment only. The management will hi
orders for seats for any of the per
formances, if accompanied by check OF
money order, in the order of their receip
after the opening of sale. The box office
sale of tickets opens Tuesday, February
18th The engagement begins Monday
February eth,