The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-02-21
"Ben Hur."

Klaw and Erlanger's original produc-
ton of Ben Hur," with CT st, scenery,
equipment, horses and camels, begins a
limited engagement at the Academy of
Music, Baltimore, Monday, February
2+th. This imposing spectacle is a
sermon in varied speech, illustrated by
art and music. Its trend of suggestion
is forward 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 reverence as they group about
their camels. 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 galley
ship-thc muscular, grim visaged slaves
Juggling in rhythmic motion at the
oars, then the wreck, Ben Hur and his
captain struggling in the waves. The
scene changes to the home ofSimonides,
moment later comes the vision of the sun
lit 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-ala axe dancing
i'll the pale moonlight, with gliding boats
and howery shores in the cool gray
shadows-with Iras, the Egyptian, try
ing the wiles of a Cleopatra on Ben Hur.
After this is the chariot race, probably
the most wildly thrilling moving picture
that the stage has ever known. Arumble
is heard in the backgrounds, the hurryinS
clatter of horses feet. Two chariots,
each drawn by four horses, form the
centre of the picture. The animals with
far stretched necks and dilatcd 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 representative
Vale of 1innom, which becomes trans
parent, revealing the Mount of Olives
and the City of Jerusalem. Great multi
tudes come out to greet the Nazarenc,
singing hymns of praise and alteration.
The miracle of the cleansing of the lepers
is performed, but the Christ's personality
is not represented. His presence is lndi-
Gated by great shaft of white light,
which tradition says was reflected from
His person. Ben Hur, his mother and
sisters are united amid a great chorus of
thanksgiving, swelling out from the hill
sides all around, as the final curtain falls.
The music, which Edgar Stillman Kelley
has composed for the production, has
much to do with the success of ben
Hur" 1t is scholarly and creditably
alike for it's dignity and serious purpose.
To present the remarkable play no
less than $50 people are required. In
the chariot race there are twelve horses
contesting, but four more trained animals
are always kept close by in case of acct
dent.
Patrons of this fine dramatic spectacle
are earnestly requested to be in their
seats promptly at eight O'Clock in the
evening and two o'clock in the afternoon.
The spectacle of the appearance of the
Star of Bethlehem requires the entire
auditorium to be darkened, and it will
be impossible to seat anyone until after
the prelude is over.
ben Hur" will remain at the Academy
of Music, Baltimore, for limited engage
ment only. The management will fill
orders for seats for any of the perform
ances, if accompanied by a check or
money order, in the order of their receipt
after the opening of sale. The box Office
sale of tickets opens Tuesday, February
Is. The engagement begins Monday,
| ISaI,ruary Of