The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-11
Ben-Hur. This Week

Spectacular magnificence, dramatic splendor and religious ecstasy are the most notable concomitants of Klaw & Erlanger's production of "Ben-Hur" During the 12 years which have passed since the original presentation of this noble drama-it was first presented at the Broadway theatre in New York on November %, 1s99-its owners have not only kept it up to it's original grandeur, but have even elaborated and developed the possibilities of the production until to- day it is said to stand unriyaled in beauty of embellishment, unsurpassed in dramatic significance and power. It was the Hast word" of the stagecraft Of the 18th century and into the new age l. brought bigness and perfection which will remain the standard for decades to come.
 Dealing with the earth life Of Jesus, the most important period Of history, 'Ben-HurT shows the world at it's most wonderful point in rnzgnIAcence and wealth, for Rome ruled the world and Caesar Augustus was Emperor Of the mightiest realm the earth had known Into this time of display and por8p earns the IoEiy Ezzarene. the Christos sor whom the nations had Isngsd, and 1t is this personality of Jesus that, pefraeat~ ing the fabric Of shs Wsllzes-Young z drama, makes t 2. sermon as WelI as q, drama of enormous sisnfAcancs. The reverence with which the lrT1lnaneTcs of Christ is Indicated has made e-Fsen-Efasr' religious pageant, while ths sweep of the story Of Ben Ff1r and Msssalss Els. ther and Iras, carries audiences eff thei. feet. the csIFatnation Of the dramatic plot being the chzf5st races wherein Feli- Hur conqusrs and fsgrs6ss Ess Roman enemy.
 Nothing more realistic man taas scsifs In the arena Of the Circus Of Aneioch, with Ben-Hrr and Messala esssTestisr fof supremacy, has ever besn iraagiaed b3 drannatist or execgtsG bg a producer. rhs race enthrslls heczese ssa ITS obtco,Ae depend life, love- honor riches Co f7ie victor. and when fseis-ffar recespes tlie victor's crown Of wild oliss, audiences ay,-- plaud with the greatsst eIstliusiasif. rni. Ing the engagement iefas eie;it horses will be seen in the race.
 The religious feeling Of tlie play,i be-- ginning with the sdorsfion Of tse Nise Men, reaches it's height isa tlae aiai scene where the triumphaI entry or Jesnis into Jerusalem fills she staee with men and women and little children singing I4oaiai- na and throwing pallsa-brsnciies in FFis pathway.
 The Christ does not actually appear oia the scene, but the faefTable Presence ls
  fills the air with siIyery beams as the curtain falls. The scene fs even raors impressive because Of the healing Of tns lepers, among them the mother and sis- ter of Ben-Bur, and the ultimate reunion of this long separated family.
 "Ben-Hur' is scheduled for presenta~ ton at the Jefferson theatre next Thurs day, Friday and Saturday nights and Sat- urday afternoon.
 Klaw & Erlanger have given the play an even mightier equipment this season than heretofore, for 1t is the 12th year of the drama and all the wealth of re- source at the command of this great the atrical firm has been called upon to make this wonderful play more real than ever The cast this season includes such well known players as Richard Buhler in the title role, Walter M. Sherwin as Nessais. Anthony Andre as simonides. Frank Wes- ten, Charles Garfield, Van Dusen Phil lips. Helen Singer, Alice Haynes. LoyoIs O'Conner. Maud Ream Stoyer and Iaidss | Appleton
 Theatregoers are reminded that the curtain rises promptly on the s<Shins