Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-13

and Erlanger's great production of
ben Hur,' which will open at the
Mason tomorrow. During the years
which have passed since the original
presentation of this noble drama--it
was first seen at the Broadway theater
in New York November rs, 1S99-its
owners have not only kept It up to
its original grandeur, but have even
elaborated and developed the POSSIBLE
tiles of the production until today 1t is
one of the greatest spectacular plays
on the stage. 1t was the last word
of the stagecraft of the nineteenth
century, and into the new age 1t
| brought a new standard of bigness and
perfection.
Dealing with the earth life of Jesus,
ben Hur'' shows the world at its
most wonderful point In magnificence
and wealth, for Rome rules the world
and Caesar Augustus was emperor of
the mightiest realm the earth had ever
known. Into this time of display and
pomp came the lowly Nazarene, the
"Christus' for whom the nation had
| longed, and 1t is this personality of
Jesus that, permeating the fabric Of
the Wallace Young drama, makes 1t a
sermon as well as a drama of tre-
mendous significance. The reverence
with which the imminence of Christ Is
indicated has made ben Hur" a re-
ligious pageant, while the sweep of
the story of Ben Hur, MESSIAH, Esther
and Iras, carries audiences off their feet,
the elimination of the dramatic plot
being the chariot race wherein Ben
Hur conquers and degrades his Roman
enemy.
HAMBURGER'S MAJESTIC-James
J. Corbett and an exceptionally strong
company presenting. under the man
agement of H. H. Frazee, Facing the
To oh OF q
at oliver Moroscos Broadway theater
this week. The comedy is a rollicking
affair, which, although 1t has been seen
locally, is none the less sure to prove
popular. 1t provides Mr. Corbett with
an exceptionally happy light comedy
role, in which he has been called
more than worthy successor of Adonis
Dixey, who created the part. Mr.. Cor
bett is said to have acquired f1nish
grace and ease in his acting since he
visited Los Angeles, basking in the re-
flected glory of the roped arena, and
his company is reputed to be well
suited to the various roles Entrusted to
its individual members.
Miss Eleanor Montell, who has the
leading feminine role, is prime favor
lite locally through her successful sea-
son as a member OF one of the local
stock companies. Miss Amanda Hend-
ricks, who has an important part, is
credited with being physically one of
the most attractive women on the mod
ern stage. Charles Horne, who will
appear as the detective, is a comedian
of rare merit, and elsewhere has re-
ceived generous praise for his interprer
tation of the role Theatergoers will
be glad of an opportunity to witness
the metamorphosis of Mr. Corbett, and
that gentleman's proficient advance
agent promises that none will be dis
q nnainfad
GRAND OPERA HoUSE-Into its
second week goes wang" at the
Grand opera house, beginning with
the Sunday matinee, December 13-l
as was easily guessable last Sunday. |
There will be no change whatever
in cast or production for the carry |
ing over, and Hartman, with the
dainty little bunch of Riddles, will still
be the stars in the BABY song, the
cleverest number yet put on here in
operate work. Muggins Davies, Sybu |
Page, Grisella Kingsland and Bernice
Holmes are the women principals, and
the good work of Charles Airing, Wal
ter de Leon, Robert Lett and the rest
Of the men will still be in. evidence.
The chorus has much to do IN wang"
and shows its thorough training at
every appearance, while the elephant
is becoming more and more properly
"a 0AAOA " sAAS 1850 NAA@A~-~ ~ N@~~ -
Following Wang will come the
Christmas offering, 1.-THE Toymaker," a
show especially for children = but
are not barred-with toys for
he youngsters at every matinee. Spe-
,ial matinee on Christmas (Friday).
DECENTRALIZATION the beauty
how still remains in all its fairness at
he Orpheum, the week beginning with
he matinee Monday, December A. will
AVE a still greater variety in the way
# attractions, and they Will be of
high merit. Indeed, one of
hem, the Staley and Birbeck trans
ormation called "The Musical Black
miths," is one of the greatest of recent
tage novelties. It combines in way i
My possible, seemingly with Euro
cans, act. novelty and tunefulness with
lever mechanical effects, and an air
f mystery withal. The scene opens :
pom a perfect blacksmith shop with ]
nvils, bellows and the like, wherein {
he blacksmiths play tunes on the i'm ]
dement's, wagon wheels and other I'M
kelly objects. In an instant the scene /
hanges to a. fashionable drawing room, ]
nd the performers are seen in evening /
lothes for a high class concert. In an [
Their fash they are back in their work
lg clothes in the smithy. The act has I
xeited wonderment wherever shown. {
Lew Hawkins has rightly earned the !