The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-05
GREAT PRODUCTION
seen IN RICHMOND.
Esther Griffin White Says
"Ben-Hur" Is a Drama
Well Worth Seeing.

"Ben-Hur" Is a Drama
Well Worth Seeing.
ESTHER GRIFFIN WHITE.
Familiar to the theater.going public
OF the larger cities. but seen in Rich
mond Mt the Gennett last evening for
the first time. was the dramatization
of Lew Wallace's world famous novel,
"Ben.fiur." and be II: said. given with
as much theatric eclat, AZ in the metro
politan centers. In ONE Of which the
writer saw II several years ago.
What Is II that gives this great
stage spectacle, which can yet hardly
be classed as play" It's never nag
ging interest? Which has drawn huge
and fascinated audiences during Its
yearly presentation for the past twelve
years? What il II that makes the novel
from which It's incidents were taken
still one of the best sellers" after an
existence OF over thirty years?
II Il not that the creator OF this bit
Of fiction took for Its hero. although
not Ostensibly. the one figure that
withstands the limelight Of the cent
uries-that prince OF Peace" who was
looked to by the peculiar people" as
a king who WAS to restore to them
their prestige as nation? Whose
failure to do the latter SO bitterly dis
appointed Simoniies Of the novel and
of the play. and whose real entity was
family "sensed" by "Ben.Hur" when
but lad.
Christianity Remains.
Whatever may or may not be be-
lieved as to me Immortality of the in
dlvidual soul. 81 the divinity OF the one
called Christ" OF his mission on
earth, we're he God or man. the one
great stubborn fact Of Christianity re-
mains. explain II as you will. And the
further fact that In the stage interpre-
tation the interest Is sustained
throughout three scenes after the tre-
mendous climax Of the chariot race to
the anti-climax OF the appearance of
"Thc Naxarene." although unseen Of
the audience. and the healing OF the
mother and sister OF "B,an-Hur." sus-
tains the assumption that the lat
ter and not "Ben-Hur." was
the compelling motif Of the
authors conception, and whose
message. Peace on earth. good will
unto men," il the ultimate yearning OF
humanity. and the Utopia of both ma
terialists and dreamers.
"Ben.Hur" while remaining as great
40 theatric spectacle. has gained In
drmatic tone since It's earlier day. the
continuity In It's action and the devel-
opment Of plot being emphasized. thus
givink the confirmed play goer as
much pleasure as the occasional ire
Quenter Of the theater.
Richard Butler, az "Ben-Hur." the
leading principal. Ia fortunate In look
Ing the imagined part. and this goes
very far In theatric art, Buffers ply
sique. evident youth and general pre-
possessions lending the role an ef-
fectivc realism. Barring a few minor
mannerisms, Buhler IL the ideal stage
"Ben.Hur," and might give cards and
spades to several well known matinee
idols. His voice has excellent quality
and his reading of his lines has GER
tain spontaneity which goes with the
youth and unsophistication Of the
character.
An Excellent Cast.
OF the other principals. those max
ing the most realistic impression are
"Simonides." played byAnthony Andre
whose Interpretation of this virile and
dinicult role il clcverly done; and
"Amrah," the devoted servant OF the
Hur household. by Miss Maud Ream
Slower. who possesses that elusive
thing termed personally" and which
ccntcrs interest In her brief appear
ances. The "Messala" Of MIR. Wal
ter NJ. Sherwin. Ben.Hur's rival In
matters Of love and war. could
hardly be regarded as Sc
rious handicap to Ben-Hur in the
former. although he plays the part OF
the red.bloodcd y0luptuary with Ger.
tain grace.
or the other leading characters
those Of Estehr and Tirzah are well
taken. although of themselves more
or less colorlcss. and Miss Loyola
OCOnner, as the mother of the hero.
takes the role with artistic compre-
hcnsion.
That In the great sccnes-the
Three Wise Men In the Desert. the
chariot race In which eight horses are
managed seemingly in strenuous &C.
ton. and the appearance OF the Christ
In the last act--the same effects and
accessories are presented as in thea.
tiers of greater capacity. makes this
one OF the most interesting of the
dramatic events OF the local season
and calls for crowded houses at the
remaining performances. Those who
object to such offerings" as THE
Girl from Rector's" and THE Girl in
the Taxi" now have an opportunity
to prove their sincerity in the state.
ment that when the theater presents
something besides the output of the
human sewer they will attend. For
here 10 the dramatization of a great
novel. written by a great lndianian
and which has for its theme the one
greet Agurc Of all time.
DESIRES HIS WIFE
m WEn nIn RTVAV