Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-06

Arriuc. the Tribune 100. Charles ]. Wilson
Belthasar Charles J.. Wilson
lldeHm .."......... Henry Weaver. jr.
william kelley
hortator ....... ........... Harry DeForest
Drusus..-............... George l.. Seybolt
Neclnls. ......... SEQ, ...... Henry DeYere
Ed~lyana'..'' '.'..''s''... -.sBen >. Mears
Hhaleu '-.''..'...... .........George wilkes
ofieer Of the Galley. Walter Markham
Esther. 81. -. .Ellen Mortimer
lras.... ..".-..... .....Mabe1 Mortimer
Mother Of ur.......... .Msbrl Burt
@ -.heten FrlneeVllle
Well, we have seen ben Hur"-that is
TO say, something like 1000 OF us watched
the unfolding OF the great spectacular
drama, based on the Lew Wallace novel,
last night at the Boyd theater. And how
did we like IL? II depends. As a spectacle
some Of II is magnificent, superb, almost
incompatible, and some of 1t Is SO patiently
stacy and devoid of naturalism that one
wonders that the managers have the
temerity TO thus affront public credulity.
Happily, the closing scene is Of such beauty
and fraught with such real dramatic in
tensity that any and all gaucheries that
may have preceded II are forgotten, and
the single impression that any but a
jaundiced critic would carry away is a re-
membrance Of a multitude. artistically dis
played amid the most appropriate OF sur
roundings, singing a hymn OF praise to
Him who has done the miracle all we're
praying for. and as the curtain goes down
on a reunited family. mother, sister. prom
ised bride and the rehabilitated Judah
prince OF Hur, bowed In grateful acknowl-
edgment Of Gods goodness and the di-
vlnity Of His Son, the satisfaction OF an
ending so popular. even IL conventional.
removes any disappointment hat might
have been earlier experienced because Of
failure Of realization to match anticipation.
As in the story, so in the play, the human
interest centers around the fate Of Ben
Hur's mother and sister. At times other
features seem paramount, but ever and
anon the mind reverts to these two suffer-
ing women. Scenes in the circus, love-
making in the moonlight at the camp Of
Sheik Ilderim in the Grove of Palms, de-
, bates on the roof of the home Of Simonides,
or philactering in the Grove Of Daphne, all
these may distract for the moment. but they
never turn the thought OF either Ben Hur
or the audience from those women who
had apparently been swallowed up in
death, so mysterious that not a trace was
left. And Il would seem that the depth
Of misery had been sounded when they are
restored to freedom and life-lepers,
WHY " aNaAA III NV anu AZ AAbnN
loathsome of deaths. How that mournful
wall, the cry OF the leper, despairing yet
/ warning, 'Uncleanl" pierces the heart. In
a single word the most terrible fate, one
besides which death in sudden form were
sweet, is told. Deeper still is the pathos
OF the scene where mother and daughter
gaze on the sleeping form OF him they
both love and have long thought Of as dead,
suddenly presented before them in full vigor
Of lusty manhood. All the damned up love
Of years seems about to break its bounds
and we'll over in one fond kiss. and then
'Unclean!" Mother, love and sister, love
conquers again. and the salute is denied
that the loved one may not be contain.
mated. Amrah. brings a faint but glorious
hope to these sorrowing outcasts, and 10!
/ the Nazarene passeth by. The word Is
spoken. Woman. thy faith hath made thee
whole" Glorious miracle. Fitting climax
to an absorbing story. And beautifully
presented on the stage.
OF the more spectacular features OF the
play the tableaux and the general setting,
1t may be enough to say that all fairly re-
deem the promise. The scene on the gall
ley Is very realistic, the chariot race is
sufficiently thrilling TO stir the most slug
gish blood and the tableaux of the pro-
logue is a fitting suggestion of the meet
ing Of the wise men in the desert and the
bursting forth OF the wonderful star Of
Bethlehem. Choruses and ballets are well
drilled and move with precision, which is
the essential element OF success where so
many are grouped on the stage. Incidental
music is attuned to the spirit OF the scene
presented, 50 that all the coloring OF the
stage picture is harmonious and effective.
OF the actors themselves, while Mr..
Farnum has the heroic role and is well
fitted for II by personal gifts. the work OF
Mr.. Dodson Mitchell as Simonides, the
faithful servant Of the House OF Hur, is
easily the masterpiece. He has the really
dramatic part TO enact and does 1t with
the grace and force OF a finished actor.
Miss Mabel Mortimer as Iras seemed the
embodiment Of the Egyptian who had nc
thought save for herself. the antithesis OF
gentle Esther. whose sole thought was for
the man she loved. Basil Gill is accepta-
BILE as Messiah. and at times Mr.. Kelly
lifts Malluch above the level Of the piece
Ben Hur" will continue the rest Of the
week, with mAtineeS Wednesday and Sat
urday. In passing II may be well to note
that the warning hat the curtain rises al
s o'clock should be Needed BY those who
wish to see the beautiful opening tableaux
Some hundreds missed II Ia Il night. also q
goodly portion OF the fret act. not to speah
OF the annoyance they caused others By
earelessly strolling into the theater a few
moments after s. In the present instance
s o'clock means s o'clock and not a quar-
ter after.
OberIin GIee Club.