Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-25
PUTS 'PILGRIM'S
PROGRESS IN PLAY
HENRIETTA CR0SMAN TO MAKE
IT HER STAGE VEHICLE
VIII Depict the Famous Bunyan AIIe-
CORY in Washington and New
York-Wlll Retire When
It's Run Is over

OF the theatrical enterprises an.
| nounced for next year the one that has
| attracted greatest attention and Is gen.
orally regarded as the most notable
! undertaking on the American stage Is
the production of Pilgrims Progress
which is to be made with Henrietta
! Crosman at it's head. The distinctive
quality of this production, its magnl-
tude and the fact that Miss Crosman is
TO appear in the role OF Christian have
drawn wide attention during the two
| years or so since it was first known that
such a project was a certainty. 1t is to
be one of the most gigantic produce
| tions ever made in this country, and
the very fact that Bunyan's allegory is
to be transferred to the stage has
stirred the interest not only of theatri-
cal persons but of writer's for all classes
of publications. and the general idea
is that it merits universal approval.
Miss Crosman has herself received
many letters from prominent church
men of different denominations ap-
plauding her plans and expressing every
encouragement.
Pilgrims Progress" according to
Jack Pratt, Miss Crosman's representa-
tive, now here, will have it's first pro-
duction in Washington the middle of
September. 1t will be presented in
New York a month later and it is ex-
pected to remain for two years at least.
The dramatization of the Bunyan al
legory was made by James Macarthur
of Harper's editorial staff. He spent
two years at the work On its compile
tion he submitted the manuscript 10
Maurice Campbell, manager for Miss
Crosman, in the hope that this artistic
would appear in it. Miss Crosman was
impressed at the outset and was all
ont Gfo 70 fha hoI
been the intention to do it this season,
but the undertaking was too vast to be
completed in time. So 1t has been post
poned until next season.
1.-The presentation of Pilgrims Prog
ress' will be more than dramatization
of the book" says Mr.. Pratt. 1T will
partake of the nature of music drama.
The first part of the book only has
been employed by Mr.. Macarthur. The
second book is not used. 1t has been
said that the play itself combines dra-
matte interest similar to Ben Hur,'
while it's spiritual tone is not unlike
that of 'Everyman.' But it has more
than either of these. 1t will have a
music score by a famous composer that
goes through the entire play, from the
first word to the last. The music will
be in keeping with the varying phases
of the action.
Mr.. MacArthur's version of Pill
grim's Progress has seventeen scenes,
each of which requires a complete set
of scenery. The story begins soon after
Christians flight from The City of
Destruction and continues to the Gate
of the Celestial City, The scenic ef-
fects will be most impressive and beau
tiful. For a year and half the scenic
artists in this country and Europe
have been engaged on this production
Some of the scenery will come from
Germany, some from Austria and the
rest will be done in New York. Expert
electricians have been employed equally
long working out the novel and original
light effects, while artists in several
countries have been preparing designs
for the costumes. The armor has
been ordered from Paris.
There are Seventy-three acting parts
in the play in addition to which there
will be a big chorus and corps of
dancers. In all, about 300 persons will
be engaged in the production, exclusive
of an orchestra of sixty musicians.
Some of the scenic effects have
aroused the greatest admiration of the
fev' to whom they have been explained,
for much secrecy is observed in many
of the details, both because 1t is pru-
dent to guard them and also because Of
the desire not to lessen their effect on
the public by having them described iA1
advance"
Miss Crosman has announced her re-
tirement from the stage after "Pil-
grim's Progress has run it's course. 1t
may last four or five years or longer
but at the expiration of it's drawing
power Miss Crosman will give up the
stage. She has said that she will never
appear in comedy after Pilgrims
Progress" To one not acquainted with
this actress nor familiar with her per-
sonal character 1t would be difficult 10
realize the reverence with which she
views the stage presentation of "Pil-
grim's Progress" She has frequently
remarked: Nobody can see it without
being made the better for It,"