Gilpin observer., 1903-10-01
COLORADANS CAN
NOW SEE BEN HUR

Denver, Sept 2S-Klaw & Erlang-
er's massively ornate spectacle, Ben
Hur." is to be staged at the Broadway
theatre, Denver, for two weeks, Octo-
Der 18th to oath, with matinees on
"Wednesday and Saturday each week.
The dramatization of General Lew
Wallace's great novel has been seen
only in New York, Boston, Philadel-
phia, Brooklyn and Chicago during the
past four years. William Young, who
made the dramatization, has succeeded
most admirably in the production of
drama which not only retains the most
absolute fidelity to General Wallace's
great book but which does not offend
the most devout Christian. Professor
Edgar Stilman Kelley, whose Macbeth
score is remembered with pleasure. has
heightened the solemnity of Ben
Hur." with music that is positive de-
light to the ear. The stage settings
provided by Klaw & Erlanger have
never been equalled in this country.
The pictures of the Star of Bethlehem.
the City of Jerusalem from the terrace
garden of the palace of Hur, the inte-
rior of Roman galley, the grove
OF Daphne the fountain of Castalia,
the chariot race, the vale of Hinnom
and the Mount of Olives are remarka-
BILE exhibits of the best scenic art. To
these are added some wonderful ef-
fects in lightning. as in the Star OF
Bethlehem, and in stage mechanics, as
in the famous chariot race. The con-
trivances used to make the chariot
race cost no less than $4,000. Eight
horses race in full view OF the audi
ence. Each animal runs on separate
tread mill, and the effect of Ben Hur's
quartet of horses winning is produced
by electric power concealed beneath the
stage. An immense cyclorama repre-
senting the interior of the arena with
its multitude of painted people is
whirled across the stage in the oppo-
site direction from that which the
horses are headed. greatly increasing
the illusion. rs the audience is appar-
emily going with the racers. This Is
not only q spectacular but dramatic
success as we'll.
The great scene which closes the play
is the healing of the lepers on the
Mount of Olives. Here hundreds OF
people are arranged in picturesque
groups. the whole forming one Of the
most beautiful pictures which has ever
been put on the stage. The personality
OF the Nazarene Is not shown in the
play, but in this scene the nearness OF
His presence is indicated with the
most intense impressiveness by shaft
of the purest white light. The drama
tization is carefully constructed SO as
to remove 1t from the domain OF the
so-called Passion plays. and while the
Saviour is only referred to. yet His
tremendous dominating power is felt
with thrilling effect.
Ben Hur" has played to larger re-
ceipts and to more people than any
theatrical production either here or
abroad. It has been on the stage but
little more than four years, which were
exhausted in runs in the five cities
named above. and it is fact worth re-
cording that the last week in each OF
these cities was among the biggest OF
the engagement.
ben Hur" will remain at the Broad
way Theatre. Denver. for two weeks
only. The management will fill orders
for seates for any Of the performances
of the two weeks, II accompanied by
check or money order, in the order OF
their receipt. The box Office sale opens
Thursday. Oct. Sth. Address all COM
munications to Peter McCourt. mana
ger Broadway Theatre. Denver.