Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-10-04
STAGE BECOMES RIVAL OF CHURCH.
Bible Scenes and Characters are Soon to
be Presented to Theatre GOers
at the Grand Opera
House.

The tremendous question Of church
and stage is about to be raised. as it
has never been before. in the play
which Gordon and Benefits company
will produce at the Grand on Oct. l3.
The play is called 1.-THE Holy CITY,"
and is by Clarence Bennett. a journal
ist. It is in blank verse.
The principal. characters are Mary
Magdalen; Barannas. described as q
Jewish patriot: Judas Iscariot. Judas
Pontius Plate. Caiaphas. the High
Priest Peter and John. the disciples |;
Lazarus and Zacharias. Elizabeth.
mother OF John the Baptist; King
Herod and his daughter. the Princess
Salome and twenty other imaginary
characters complete the cast. There
are four acts and q total dramatis
personnae of forty people.
Briefly stated. the story Of the play
is as follows: Mary Of Magdalene is
beloved of Barsnnas. and is also the
favorite of Caiaphas.
Act one finds Barannas. who is
hunted by the Roman soldiers Marius,
a Roman Captain; Silenus. a dissipat-
ed Roman Judas Iscariot. and num-
ber of women. all meet in Mary's
house for pleasure. The subject is
raised of the wondrous Nazarene and
His reported miracles. BY accident
Mary knocks vase into the street
where the Lord and His followers are
preaching and healing the sick
Enraged. Simon Peter and a msb break
into Mary's house and Peter upbraids
her for her evil life. at the same time
telling her of the death of her broher
Lazarus. The act closes with the
conversion of the Maadalen. after .
fierce struggle with the fascination of
her old life. She looks out-a strong
light indicates that Christ has turned
His pitying gaze upon her. and the
curtain falls upnn her in PRAYER.
Act Two takes place in the court
yard Of Martha's home Here within
the house the Lord is visiting. Mary,
poorly clad and penitent, returns to
her home and is struck with wonder
'ment to find Lazarus raised from the
tomb. She enters the house and
anoints Christ's head with precious
ointment. Returning her exaltation
has reached such heights that she
cures Zacharias of blindness by saving
that the Lord has so commanded her.
Hither comes Barannas who renews
his FRENZY of love. He is enraged when
Mary tells him that she will follow
the Nazarene. Barannas is taken by
the Romans and the act closes with
the BETRAYAL of Christ.
Act Three deals with the judgment
of PLATE. the denial of Peter. and
the release of Barannas. and the order
for the Crucifixion.
Act Four tell the story Of the Lord g
death-the thunders and earthquake
and the rending of the veil of the
temple. Judas goes mad and hangs
The curtain falls on the
grandest portrayal OF the inspiring
spectacle-a complete allegorical re-
of the Crucifixion by
Michael Angelo.
ACT Five shows the Garden Of Joseph
of Arimathea. and che sacred tomb.
The various characters of the play pass
and repass throughout the scene Th Q
Great Light shines-the Roman
soldiers fall on their faces; Caiaphas
comes in forbodeinR and finds the
tomb empty; an angel appears and
announces that the Lord is risen !:
Marv comes and tells how she has
seen Christ again. and Barannas is
converted.
The final curtain falla amid the
strains Of "The Holy City'-and the
Ascension OF Christ and the angel.