Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1904-11-15
1.-The Shepherd King. =

Wright Lorimer's great production of
. The Shepherd King" comes to the
Academy Of Music. Baltimore. for a two
weeks visit, November 18th. In New
York and Boston, where it has already
enjoyed extended runs. it proved rev.
elation. and from the first night the de-
mand for seats was so great that many
orders had to be returned untitled.
The beauty of the play and its moral
teaching have been commended by the
majority of prominent ministers IN the
east, while its dramatic value is theme
upon which critical reviewers have ex-
hausted themselves. The size of the pro-
duction has proved source of amaze
ment not only to theatergoers but to
managers as WELL 1t is without doubt
the greatest spectacle ever presented on
the American stage. being what might
be termed a size larger than ben Hur, !"
which has heretofore enjoyed that dis
tlnction.
The presenting company numbers oyer
two hundred. while the stage hands and
those in charge of the mechanical and
other arrangements are an even hundred
in number. When compressed as great
ly as possible there was not to be found
either in New York or Boston a stage
large enough to store them. During the
progress of one act express wagons were
kept hurryirg between the theater and
various storehouses carrying scenery for
the acts to follow. The settings are noted
for their artistic value. Each is triumph
of harmo NOUS color and magnificent eff
fects, and the costumes rival them in gor-
geousness.
The play itself is powerfully appealing
in its intensity. The story is that of the
young David and involves of course the
tales of the acrid-minded. tempestuous
Saul, the sublime prophet Samuel and
hideous Witch of Endor.
Wright Lorlmer, who is part author of
the piece and who plays the role of David,
is sincere and skilled actor of artistic
ability. He has sprung into great public
notice with bound. AT one leap he has
gone up many of the rungs of the glitter
ing ladder of fame. Practically un-
known, even in the large eastern cities, a
year ago, today his reputation is only
less than that ofthe greatest of American
stars.
In company numbering two hundred
it is only possible to name those who have
the leading roles and who have nat urally
had most opportunity to distinguish
themselves. These include Charles Kent.
who is seen as King Saul; Edward Mac
key. as Jonathan. his son; Percival Len
non as Phalti; O'Kane Hills as lessee,
the father of David; Henry NARROW as
Samuel, the prophet May Buckley and
Nellette Reed, as Mlchal and Merah, the
daughters of Saul; Margaret Hayward
as the Witch of Endor, and Benjamin
Williams as Goliah the Giant of Gath.
There are immense choruses of dancers,
singers, soldiers, slaves and Nubians,
besides the others in the cast,
The drama is given in four acts and
five scenes. Act | shows the home of
David, the shepherd boy. near Beth
leham Act II shows the camp of Saul
in the vale of Elah; in Act III IS shown
the. palace of Saul at Gilbeah, and Act w
shows the cave of the Witch of Endor
and the court adjoining the palace of
Gilbeah. The action consumes three
years.
In production of this size every es-
sential had to be specially prepared, even
down TO the wigs and sandals, and the
piece is expected to create sensation in
Baltimore such as no spectacle of lis kind
has ever yet produced