The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-07-15
PILGRIMS PROGRESS" ON TIE STAGE John Bunyan's Immortal Work Already Dra-
 mlatized: CHRISTIAN PILGRIM. " The Religious Drama Found
 to Be a Money
 Maker.
CHRISTIAN PILGRIM. !"

NEW lOIh, July m AS ldSl lSW years has seen a certain and steady advance in the number and the pop ularity of the so-called religious drama, The day was when such plays were considered poor dramatically. rather more of the mellow order than of the Legitimate" But such plays had big boost when Ben Hur," a heavy play both in plot and scenic devices, made such a hit few wears ago. Its chariot racing scene was big one. It required that the stage of every theater where it was given should be propped up with spe- cial beams. But the box office receipts were found to be correspondingly heavy and so it's managers were satis- fled Its success was partly due to the spectacular in it, but not entire- ' ly due to it by any means. The dra- matic value of the religious element, a I thing never accepted before, was de- monstrated. The play soon had many contemporaries and followers on the boards. Among them have been "The Christian" John the Baptist" "Sa- lome,' "The Sign of the Cross" "The Prince of India7 and "The Shepherd King" Tn the latetr play Wright Lori rner has scored well. Many have giv- en him the credit for the present in terest in that style of play. His ef- forts in the role of King David were acclaimed on every hand.
 i The latest adherent to this type of play seems to be Miss Henrietta Crosman, who will apear in James McArthurs stage adoption. 'SThe Christian Pilgrim" a. dramatization of Bunyan's great allegory. She is the latest to perfect her plans, for Miss Crosman assures the public through her press agent, that she has had the idea of a religious drama ir her head for at least two years. The performance, as promised will be onC of deep reverence. The actress is capable of creating the atmosphere The incidental music, always an i'm. portant element in that type of play can be counted on to be of the best It will be by William Furst, who is generally regarded as the first of al such composers in New York. It wa: he who wrote the incidental music tc the Rose of the Rancho,' which made furore when first given. Fol five years he has been with the Belas- 60 forces and it was only his determ. tination to write the incidental music for "The Christian Pilgrim that led to his parting from that opposer oi ] the theatrical trust, Belasco. The play vii be produced under the joint management of Henry B. Harris ant Maurice Campbell and 1t will be open. ed at the Liberty Theater, New York on November 4. Miss Crosman Will be supported by Tyrone Power, W. T Carlton and Edward Mackay. There will also be large company and bal
 let.
 The great problem in the production of the play will be to get the realism and action that the modern audience demands, Bunyan's dream as writer may not offer many or striking dra. matic situations, but the true play. wright and the true actress will no be stopped by the lack of physica action so much as the lack of a pow. erful undercurrent which is an ap, peal to the emotions, and surely ot that enough can be found in tho Pilgrims Progress and the pro auction will undoubtedly be a success Its very planning goes to prove a least that William Bullock the criti, of the New York Press" was rlgh- when he said; One of the stronges trends of the darma at present is to- ward the religious play"