The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-01-07

during the past week by audiences that as
a rule have been as large as greeted Mr..
Burgess impersonation of Abigail Prue,
the large-hearted, impulsive and eccentric
old maid, with decided matrimonial lean
ings, is as rich and racy as ever and
p1eases every one A number of changes
have been made in the stage business of
the play and which, it may be added,
lends considerable variety and freshness
to it. The Huskin' Bee scene presents a
merry party in Aunt Abby's barn Each
and every one taking part therein seems
to enjoy the fun as much as do the au-
dience. The Transatlantic Four render
some capital musical selections which are
remanded time and again, and Miss Pol
lock sings quite cleverly and presents a
spright1y and intricate dance. The finale
of this act and the honors that go with it
certainly belong to Cold Molasses. If
ever horse should be thoroughly we'll
loved, that horse is Cold Molasses. He is
more than a sagacious animal, he's got
brains and seems almost human. No one
in the audience will doubt it for a moment
when they take peep at him 1t seems
as though he understood fully the extent
of Aunt Abby's misfortune, and as the
curtain goes down on the speech, 'bless
his heart; he would help me if he could, y
his beautiful neck is extended from his
stall 10 Aunt Abby. who is seated near
him, and gently rubbing his nose against
her cheek, seems to say in his unknown
language, 81 understand and will help
you" This scene, though very brief, with
few words spoken, to many is the most
pathetic part of the entire play. A hushed
stiffness pervades the house as the curtain
falls and gentle sigh is waited to and
fro, becoming but an echo, when suddenly
every one, realizing the true meaning of
what they have seen, break out in loud
and continuous applause, demanding a
curtain call for Mr.. Burgess and Cold Mo-
lasses. This curtain call has been so fire.
quently called for and granted by Mr..
Burgess and Cold Molasses that it is not
unexpected; in fact, it is looked for, and
if it does not come, the first one to kick
at the slight and oversight of the audience
Fair, with Mr.. Burgess supported by his
New York cast, will he presented for the
balance of this and of next week, which
will mark the last performances of this
successful play in Philadelphia for many
seasons, as Mr.. Burgess and his entire
company contemplates European trip
commencing in April. Rose Melville in
isis Hopkins" ''The Dairy Farm
Happy Hooligan," york State Folks, .
Thomas E. Shea in ''Dr. Jekyll and Mr..
Hyde" Creston Clarke in repertoire, Kel-
lar, the Great, and Lovers Lane" are a
few of the good things promised Park
patrons ere the summer months.
BIN H(IR Klaw and changers or
M iginal production of
"Ben Hur,p with cast. scenery, equip
ment, horses and camels, begins limited
engagement at the Chestnut Street Opera
House, Philadelphia, Tuesday, January
IA. 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 Bethlehem,
the mems hands raised in awe and rever-
ence as they group about their camels.
The dreamy waste of aridity is wonder
fully impressive. Then comes the bril-
liantly 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
galley ship-the muscular, grim visaged
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 Suberb
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 fowery 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. A rumble
is heard in the background the hurrying
clatter of horses feet. Two chariots,
each drawn by four horses, form the
far stretched necks and dilated nostrils,
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 fitting climax to the
brilliant stage pictures. 1t represents the
Vale of Hinnom, which becomes transpar-
ent, revealing the Mount of Olives and
the City of Jerusalem. Great multitudes
come out to greet the Nazarene, singing
hymns of praise and alteration. The mir
acle of the cleansing of the lepers is per-
formed, but the Christ's personality is not
represented. His presence is indicated by
a great shaft of white light, which ira
dition says was reflected from His person
Ben Hur, his mother and sister are united
amid great chorus of thanksgiving,
swelling out from the hillsides all around
as the final curtain falls.
The music, which Edgar Stillman Kel-
ley has composed for the production, has
much to do with the success of ben
Hur." 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 eight horses con-
testing, but four more trained animals are
always kept close by in case of accident.
Patrons of this fine dramatic spectacle
are earnestly requested to be in their seats
at s o'clock in the evening and
3 o'clock in the afternoon. The spectacle
of the appearance of the Star of Bethle-
ltOm iCduuOo JIG cutlIc duuIIOflun 10 De
darkened, and it will be impossible to seat
anyone until after the prelude is over.
Ben Hur" will remain at the Chestnut |
Street Opera House, Philadelphia, for
limited engagement only. The manage
ment will fill orders for seats for. any of
the performances of the first two weeks
if accompanied by check or money or
der, in the order of their receipt The
box Office sale of tickets opened Monday,
January g.
Stops the Cough and works on the Cold.
Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets cure cold |
n one day. No cure. no pay. Price 25c.