The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-05
I:o 15G1 PLAYHOUSES

marks the last day of the Feast OF the
Tabernacles and the appointment OF
the queens brother to be High Priest,
the great audience chamber OF Herod S
palace is decked with flowers and
wreaths Of laurel
A more beautiful scene OF oriental
splendor could scarcely be imagined
except by an artists brush. a great
fight Of steps inlaid with gold and
precious enamels rises 10 door,
equally massive. with wonderful
metals. leading to the queens apart
ment. while a terrace and wall look
beyond to Jerusalem and the vista oil
hills and ever-changing sky. The per
spective Of this view Is remarkable,
a sense OF space and atmosphere be-
ing realized that is most impressive.
When peopled with a well-trained
mob" of courtiers. soldiers, black
slaves and the populace OF the
streets. IL is tremendous spectacle
Nothing has been left undone TO en-
hance the reality OF the picture. cos
tunes and accessories showing the IN
finite care. research and intelligence
that has been expended upon them 10
make the perfect whole. Detroit
theatergoers have seen no such mob
rs this before. no such beauty OF
dress. The pictures presented are
batbaric I'm their exotic Crientalism
Cloth of gold and silver. heavy with
exquisite embroidery and jeweled with
the rare gems and semi-precious
stones which history tells us Herod
loved and had so great a store OF. ar"
worn In prodigal profusion. So rich
and beautiful is every detail OF cos
tune that the usual "make-believe
OF stage trappings Is forgotten.
In taking the character of Herod for
his drama. Mt Phillips has chosen to
picture him as the splendid soldier.
the great statesman. the passionate
lover and devoted husband. His love
for the queen. Marianne. is supreme.
He accomplished great things only 20
honor her, commits dastardly deeds
that ne nav possess every thought OF
her soul, when the object upon which
her eyes fall and her mind fingers is
removed. To please her he creates
her brother, Aristobulus, the High
Priest. only 70 have him done 10
death in the very hour OF his triumph
because OF hrs jealousy of her sisterly
love for the boy. When. on news of
the death OF Mark Antony he goes
with his legions to seek an alliance
with Caesar. and fearing the power
Of Aristobulus. not only with the
queen but with the people, Herod or
ders the young mans death. The
great king returns TO find Marianne
steeled against him because she has
learned the truth OF her brother
death and the hand OF his murderer.
With poisoned words against the
queen poured into his ear by his
mother. Cypros. and his sister, Sa-
lone. who hate the queen because oil
her pride OF her ancient Jewish race,
Herod Is further maddened. He or
ders her death but before his all too
eager family and the queens enemies
can carry out his command Marianne
drinks poison and dies. Herod goes
mad and In the last act, his courtiers
are striving TO restore his faculties by
every art at their command, but
Herod hears nothing but the queens
voice, sees nothing but the queens
face. As her body Is brought before
him on its bier. her red gold haif
streaming over the purple trappings.
Herod Is stricken with catalepsy.
Mr. Faversham's work AZ Herod Is
n revelation Of acting powers not here
tofore suspected. lie lends noble