The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-07
The Prince OF the World.

The Ferris Stock company, which has
been presenting standard plays Tor the
past seven months at popular prices has
made a. host Of friends and admirers Ev-
ery production has been done in careful
and conscientious manner; the company
having been strengthened from time to
time, until it is now as strong as any
stock organization in the country. DICK
Ferris has always tried to find plays that
his patrons wanted and In every instance
has pleased them. For the coming week
this company will be seen in a new semi
religious drama entitled 1.-THE Prince OF
| the World" It is play that appeals
| TO all classes. Each can find entertain
ment and instruction In Its story ana
series OF historic events
The authors have happily blended Bibli-
cal and Roman history, romance ana
drama, and so cleverly constructed and
fitted together is the play, that the story
/ is both fascinating and instructive and
never lags or loses interest.
The Prince of the World is in a pro-
llogue and three acts. The first takes
place in Jerusalem, and the play proper
seventeen years later in Nero,s palace az
Rome. The prologue Is very interesting
4 from its biblical characters and scenes.
i In it are seen Simon, the leper; Peter, the
lsapostle; Judas Iscariot, the traitor .EPon-
/ titus PLATE, and other historic characters.
This scene serves to: introduce the Court
1 of PLATE, the denial of Christ by Peter
! upon the growing of the cock, the betrayal
of Christ by Judas, the Cross and Calvary
and the dawn of Christianity. The three
acts following take place in the palace OF
4 Caesar and show that weak, pitiable, vel
powerful monarch in the midst Of his ex-
cesses. It tells the old story of the love
. of a Christian maid for a noble Roman
to become the queen of his court, Nero
: orders her thrown into a den Of lions
: kept for Chrystian martyrs, but before
the fearless girl with uplifted cross thu
savage beasts stand as bronze images, un
til she Is rescued by her brave lover. Thi
scene surpasses any ever attempted befor
on the stage, in its startling grandeur
For this scene Dick Ferris has importe,
two big Asiatic lions, which are on ex
hibition in the lobby Of the Lyceum, an
which are feature Of great expense an
trouble, and secured for this one wee
only from New York.
The management present a new lead
ing lady, for this one week only, in Mis-
Bertha Belle Westbrook, who is not ne,
to this most difficult role Of Judith.
In the prologue Simon, the leper of Cy
rene, will be characterized by Henry Du
mont, a new member Of the company
lPontius PLATE will be played by Be
Johnson; Herbert Brenon is cast as Juda
Iscariot; Robert Folsom will be seen a
Peter the Apostle through the entire play
Den Wilkes, another new member, wi
play Barrabbas, the thief; G. c. Gunthe
lis cast as Caiphas, the high priest; Mis-
Bertha Belle Westbrook plays Judith, tn
mother in the prologue, and Judith, tn
daughter, in the play proper; Miss Maud
Gilbert will be seen as Herodias, mistres
to Herod.
IN the play proper Will D. Gorbett wi
be seen as the heroic Roman General Ga
ba; Caesar will be characterized by Be
Johnson; Tigellinus, a soldier of Caesar
will be played by Burt Mccain; Herbe
Brenon will play Apollus, a feather
youth; Den Wilkes appears as Demetriu
an uncle to Judith; G. c. Gunther is ca
as Taurus, a barbarian prince; Miss Maut
Gilbert will characterize Rubria. a favori
of Caesar and Tigellinus; Miss MATS
Cecil isaScast, as Magdella, daughter
Demetriaus, and Miss Dora Horne :.
q Diana, wife Of Demetrius. The many OF
er characters in the play are all in go
hands, and q complete production is a
sured, with. proper costumes, scener
music, properties. ETC. Great care h
been exercised not to overstep the boun
of reverence and no one need fear su
a line or situation throughout the emit
play.
On Tuesday afternoon every lady v
receive a: beautiful ivory type of M
Gilbert, to, add to the collection of mel
bers Of the Ferris company.