The Washington times., 1910-01-11
"BEN-HUR' GIVEN
ADEQUATE SETTING
Staging of Great Play Forms
Wonderfully Realistic
Stage Spectacle.

All the arts known to stagecraft
have been utilized 10 attain the spec
tacuIar production Of ''Ben-Hur.'' pre-
scented at the New National Theater this
week The dramatfZation Of Gen. Lew
EaiIace-s book. of which few Ameri-
cans are ignorant, has been imbued with
much Of the spirit OF his Tale Of the
Christi an atmosphere akin 10 that Of
a great Oratorio is developed by the
ChOTuses, singing their ''TIosaunas" 10
the Nazarene.
The production Of "Ben-TIur," more
than any other stage adaptation of a
novel. IS inseparaDIe from It's original
form II IS the recollection of the pleas
Ure called Up through association with
the scenes and persons Of the story
which make the play attractive. and
the Witnessing OF such a realistic per
fornance as that Of last evening IS
sure to turn one TO the book with re
neWed interest In successfully aChiev-
ing this result. the KIaw & ErIanger
Offering has its chief merit
In grandeur Of scenic effect and
beauty OF setting, the play shows the
touch Of a master hand. Nothing has
been spared 10 reproduce faithfully the
environment in which the Christ moved
goo years ago The housetop In the
ancient city Of Jerusalem, the Grove OF
Daphne" the lake and gardens Of
Palma, and, finally, At Olivet, are por-
trayed IN admirable fashion
Scenes Realistic.
But even more remarkable are the
scenes Of action Though reason re
minds one that they are purely me
Chantcal. the eye almost r0rgets In
the pit Of a Roman gallery. are seen the
slaves, chained TO the oars. propeIIiug
the vessel through battle, until stricken
by the victorious enemy This scene Is
succeeded by one even more realistic,
the rescue at sea IN which Beu-Hur
gains his freedom by saving the life Of
the Roman tribune, his Eaoler.
The triumph OF the whole production,
however, as regards the Spectacular. is
found in the famous chariot race -Four
horse chariots, gaIlopins madly abreast.
leave little TO be desired IN the way OF
Illusion and stage management
1t Is a source Of regret that the
work Of the players can not be so
highly commended. Frequently there
was lacking e proper appreciation Of the
requirements Of the parts, and Iapses
from the dignity Of the theme and &C
ton were not uncommon
Richard BUTLER Scores.
Little objection can be found. how
ever with the work or 8Ir- BuhIer, IN
the leading role With physique ad-
mirabIy fitted for the character Of Ben
HUI, ne gave a most vigorous iuterpre-
tation. which won him deserved ap-
pIause- He was prone 10 OveTact- The
splendid courage OF the Hebrew was
tiuged with heroics-
Admirable contrast was drawn In the
personalities and physical type OF Is
ther and Iras, as played by Miss Alice
HAYNES and Miss Eleanor Noretti The
one. the fair-haiTed daughter OF the
Midas Of Antioci, al gentIeness and
love and the other the. olive huei maid
Of Egypt. Except for a strainiog Of the
voice which was somewhat d5scoucert-
ing. Miss 1Ioretti proved most satisfac-
rorv I'm her scenes with Beu-Hur-
Others who should not he passed
without mention were Mr. Harris as
Mesa Ia, Mr. Andre as SimC0ides. and
Mr.. Sherwin IN his double role OF Ar
RVS and BalthaZar-