The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-02-01
Amusen1enfs



Twice yesterday the Grand Theatre
was packed to the doors by some OF the
thousands who wished to see the spec
tacular production Of Ben-Hur.
People seem TO have gone crazy on
this Ben. Hur business" remarked more
than one pessimistic citizen yesterday
as hundreds and hundreds Of people
through the rain-fog and mud OF per-
haps the most unpleasant day of the
year made their way to the Grand Al
both the matinee and the night per-
formance. the weather was distressing
~ bad. But every seat was filled. The
crowd would have been larger II there
had been more seats. 1t is said that
the management turned away scores Of
people because there was no place to
put them.
The matinee audience was notable
by reason of the great number of out
of-town people who came to Montgom-
cry with the special purpose Of witt
Messing the performance. It is said
that the number Of out of-town visitors
to the various performances would
number perhaps 1000. Two special
trains ,one over the Mobile and Ohio
and one over the Louisville and Nash
Vile, were run into the city last night
and both brought a considerable crowd
Nor is the spectacle unworthy OF the
great public interest that 1t has
aroused. It is in all probability the
greatest spectacular production that
has been seen in Montgomery. The
popular interest In the performances Is
expiainable no less because OF the pop
uiarity OF General Wailace's novel than
because OF the endorsement other cities
have given the spectacle which, while
presenting the beautiful story of the
Prince of the House of Hur at the same
time illustrates the limits which the
modern stage has in mechanical inge-
nuity ana spectacular gorgeousness.
One is puzzled as 10 which TO admire
most. the wonderful management OF
the lights in tho Star Of Bethlehem
scene. the subdued glow OF light
through the visits Of trees in the river
scene or the remarkable ingenuity
which fashioned the contrivnnee by
which such a splendid presentation is
made Of the chariot race
OF course the chariot race is and has
always been the central feature OF in
terest IN the production. 1t Is stir
ring scene---at an end only too soon.
The spectators gasp for breath as they
see the eight horses on the stage gal
looping tor life In the race as the cur
tain rises They have hardly time to
grasp the wonder at the scene before
Messala IL dragged by his wrecked
chariot, Ben-Hur has won the race ana
the curtain has gone down,
OF course q symmetrical production
OF the play with interest sustained
throughout IN the dialogue IL not pos
sible. But enough OF Il is given to
preserve the story.
AS In the two previous performances
Thurston Hall gave an excellent pres.
eEatatton OF the part OF Ben Hur.
But It was no more meritorious than
Wilmer L. Walters presentation Of
Messala. In fact II was hard to inn
AStne how Mr.. Walters clean-cut work
could be improved upon. He not only
looked the Roman soldier from head IL
foot but he portrayed the character Of
the false friend as only Q finished actor
could do It.
Two performances will be given to.
Gay. The matinee will begin promptly
at 3 o'clock, the night performance
promptly at s o'clock.