The San Francisco call., 1908-12-27
ARTS COMBINE IN
WALLACE'S DRAMA
Ben Hur," the Result of Nine
Years Progress in Play
Producing

Nine years have elapsed since Gen
eral Wallace's impressive biblical ro-
nance Ben Hur" was first presented
sat the Broadway theater, New York
city. At that time it was considered
one Of the largest productions of the
modern stage, and during the inter
vening years it has maintained its pre-
emiAent position in American amuse-
ments. The present production is on a
e scale Of grandeur eclipsing all former
efforts of its producers, Klaw & Err
LANCER, who have taken advantage of
all the vast resources at their command
in constructing the new production
Every art Of the costumer. the stage
mechanic, the electrician. is taxed in its
presentation. It is realism up to the
minute. accomplishing pictures that in
the period of its first production would
have been deemed impossible to
visualize.
The fame Of General Wallace's mas
terpiece could safely have been relied
upon TO attract thousands to the thea
ter TO witness its dramatization with
out the extravagant expenditure made
manifest in this gorgeous scenic, dress
ing Of ben Hur1 and its costly equip
ment Of mechanical devices. The army
OF extra people might also have ben
dispensed with, and much money might
have been, saved in costuming, scenic
embellishments and other aids and
adjuncts that have made this religious
spectacle the richest Offering of the
modern theater. The lavishness OF this
production provided by Klaw & Err
LANCER makes it apparent that the un-
derlying motive OF the ben Hur" un-
dertaking was the producers ambition
10 be considered first among the con-
structive theatrical managers of the
day.
Few people, exclusive Of the theatri-
cal profession, have any idea of the
launching Of this spectacle each season,
for every year the management en-
deavors to improve the production.
After the artist has finished limning
its varied scenes after the carpenter
has contrived its wonderful effects,
after the property maker and the cos
tuner have added the results Of their
skill, and the electrician has contrib
uted the wonders of his art-there is
still the company to organize, the vocal
chorus TO rehearse, the children 10
coach. the supernumeraries to drill, the
the stage hands to educate so that all
the stupendous scenes will be manipu-
lated with precision and dispatch.
The engagement of Ben Hur' at the
Van Ness theater is for two weeks,
and can not in any way be extended,
owing TO dates contracted in Portland
and Seattle. No Sunday performances
are ever given Of this biblical specta-
Gle. During the San Francisco season
a matinee will be given on Wednesday
and Saturday OF each week. also on
New Years day Those who are going
10. attend should bear in mind the fact
that the curtain is raised promptly at 5
O'Clock in the evening and at 2 o'clock
at the matinee. Late comers viii not
be seated until the conclusion of the
prelude. scene of great mystic beauty.
representing the appearance OF the Star
OF Bethlehem 10 the wise men, and
accompanied by the impressive vocal
and instrumental score of Edgar Still
man Kelley
Included in the interpreting cast this
season are: Conway Tearle, Charles
M. Harris, Anthony Andre. William
I.eydeD. John NJ Troughton. Charles Z.
VDonncll, Charles Garfield. Daniel
1fanlon. Alice Haynes. Florence St
Appleton and Maude Ream Slower.