Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-11

for the other gentlemen who we're tryine
TO land place in the race. After this
affair, we are told by General Wallace
MESSIAH never walked again. Easy to be-
lieve that he shouldn't. On the stage q
very weak attempt is made to reproduce
this incident, and II really detracts rather
than adds to the realism Of the show.
When the curtain goes up Messiah has q
nice lead and is running easy under q
strong pull. Ben Hur is driving for all
there is in him. Slowly the cradle on
which the Hur team is running is pulled
forward, and finally the positions in the
race are reversed. Ben Hur leads, and it's
all over but cashing the tickets. Just al
this point the off wheel Of the Messiah car
comes OF. 1t wouldn't make any difference
II II did OF did not, for there's nothing to
the race any more. But it's in the book,
and the wheel has to come off. Then
Messiah looks about for a soft spot to light,
and finally slides Town in the rear Of his
chariot. like a small boy slipping out over
the hind endgate OF a farmers wagon. And
the curtain isn't quick enough to catch
1t, either. OF course, the eyes Of the people
are on the horses and only a few see this
sign Of mechanical weakness. but those
few are the ones who go home disappointed.
II would be better TO abandon what is so
apparently a failure, and let the race go on
its merits without the wreck incident. It's
a cinch that Ben Hur will win, for IL he
didn't the story would end right there.
In the galley scene there's another bit
Of realism that might be improved on.
When ships were driven by oars. the slaves
who we're condemned to furnish the propul-
sive force were trained to rhythmic move
ment. and kept time to the heat Of the
hortator's gavel. This official got his word
like the steamboat mate, from the cap
tain on the high deck" and thus the speed
of the good ship was regulated. No col
lege eight ever moved in more precise
time than did these muscular oarsmen.
The good ship Astraea, on which the noble
Arrius, duumvir and tribune, set forth on
his punitive expedition against the pirates,
which eliminated so adventitiously for the
youthful scion OF the house Of Hur, was a
trireme. That is, 1t had three banks OF
oars, and was supposed to be one of the
speediest vessels in the fleet. A most
realistic reproduction OF the scene below
decks, where the rowers were stationed, Is
given In the play. Only while at rest. When
It comes to the action. then the illusion is
quickly dlspelled. Mr.. Hortator goes at
his work like he was a Sioux medicine man,
furnishing tomtom music for a scalp dance;
here in Omaha he put the time up to about
forty eight to the minute. Some Of the
overs try to follow him, and some don't,
but all work with zeal and energy. No
two are In time, and as a result instead
Of the rhythmic swing OF bodies together,
which produces the speed desired, there is
the most confusing tumble of bending and
rising, each OF the chained oarsmen SEEM
ingly trying to Guido the other in energetic
effort. Some little attention to the verities
in this regard would lead the h~ortator to
beat a time the rowers might be expected
to keep up with, and only a little drilling
would lead the men at the oars to move
somewhat in unison, and not in the spas
modic, go-as-you-please fashion with which
the scene is now produced.