The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-12-10
sBen-Hur" to be Staged In Duluth.

Immense interest is beng manl-s
tasted in this vicinity over the forth
coming presentation of Klaw q
changers stupendous u production
"Ben-Hur" at the Lyceum Theatre,
Duluth, December % to 18th in
elusive with special matinees on
Christmas day and Saturday, Dec.
Goth.
Unlike so many plays taken from
Novels, "Ben-Hur" has been deftly
handled. It brings out the bone
and sinew of that great story, and
holds the interest from the first to
the last curtain, as if one were en-
thfalIed. The demands of dramatic
sequence are strictly adhered to at
all times, while the work of setting
the story before the public gaze is
so admirably done that "Ben-Hur, !"
aside from it's natural beauties,
should live as an example of what
vast possibilities the stage holds out
when the right CONJUNCTION of author,
dramatist, producer and stage
director is reached.
The story of "Ben-Hur" is ia mil-
lar to everybody, In the play, how
ever, the main incidents of General
Wallace's great novel are graphical
ly and faithfully put forth, blending
at times and tying up, as it were, at
other times these scenes Of marvel
Gus beauty or deep heart interest
and making them into an entirety
which is beyond description.
Usually one approaches a play
made on really powerful novel with
misgivings, but with 'Ben-Hur'
this is different, and herein lies one
OF its greatest charms. In this
wonderful production, when they
essay to show you the inside oof a
galley with Prince of Hur at one of
the oars it is stage picture that
suggests the very environment and
takes on the semblance Of reality.
The same goes with all the other
pictures, from the categorical one in
the prologue, showing the Wise Men
discovering the Star of Bethlehem;
and onward through those stirring
scenes of Jerusalem, proceeding Hur's
arrest to the galley, the rescue and
the Grove of Daphne, which is a.
picture of Oriental splendor and a
pleasure combined as beautiful as
has been set for the gaze OF. theatre
goers in many day. Then comes
the great chariot race, the acme of;
stage mechanism, and the great
scenic triumph Of the piece. It
goes off witha whirl and picturing
the Circus of Antioch, with the
struggle between MESSIAH and "Ben-
Hur." that fires the interest of the
spectator to the highest pitch.
The last scene of this great series
of pictures is one that will live in the
history OF the American drama as
the best scenes of the kind ever
shown on the American stage. 1t
shows the reunion of the mother,
daught ter and son, after years of
suffering, the great white light from
Mount Olivet. which signifed their
healing at the hands Of the Master.
The final grand hosannahs of a large
chorus brings the curtain down up
on a scene which has in it something
that should live for longer period
than most dramatic climaxes.
There is woe, despair and the &C
cumulated sufferings of three wearied
souls all brought outTsin this final
scene until. in the presence of the
Light, reliefcomes and, on it's wings
the ecstatic Joy that reunion brings.
sending a thrill through the house
that has not had it's like in many a
day.
The advance sale of seats for Ben
Hur" commences on Monday morn
ing, Dec. 21st, Chas. A. Marshall,
manager, of the Lyceum Theatre,
Duluth, Mimi, will give special at
tention to all requests for seats sent
through the mail, providing remit
tance accompany same, and self
addressed stamped envelope for re-
ply. Good seats are guaranteed by
Mr.. Marshall if orders are filed prior
to opening Of sale,
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