The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-04-15
VILLAGES MIGHTY
ben HUR" COMING
Big Attraction with 200 Peo-
pie at Gennett Three
Days Next Month.

Preparations on a scale of massive
heretofore attempted in connection
with the staging of spectacular play
in Richmond. We're arranged last eve
ming for the presentation of Klaw &
Erlangers stupendous production of
Lew Wa.lace's stirring historical
drama. "Ren-Hur." at the Gennett thea
ter. May 4. ) and 6. when in addition
to three performances. matinee will
be given on Saturday. May 6.
The staging of Ben Hur in Rich
mond is an event that the best pat
rons of amusements as well as leaders
in religious and educational work
have long looked forward TO. The ire
mendous success of this play in the
larger cities OF the country coupled
with the fact that there has never
been but one company in existence in
terpreting the work, has made it a diff
ficult task for klaw & Erlanger to ar
range the tour each season. All sec
tons of the country demand the play.
Now that Richmond has at least been
favored there is no doubt that the
event will make history in its records
of the city. Ben Hur will attract peo-
pie in great numbers from the sur
rounding territory. Miss Affie Nc
Wicker. resident manager of the Gen
nett, is arranging d campaign OF pub
licity that would do credit to p. T.
Barnum if he were alive today. She
has contracted to advertise the prOduc-
ton in every town. village and hamlet
in this section OF the state.
f. c.. Cooke, general agent for
klaw & E,rlanser, who is in the city.
experimenting the preliminares. at
tendant to the staging, makes the fol-
lowing statement:
ITO present Ben Hur on the Gennett
stage, several alterations are neces-
sary The width between the fly
floors is adequate for our drop scenes,
but the carrying capacity of the rig
ging loft must be doubled to take care
of the immenseq uantity of scenic para
Dhernalia. while the bridge attached
to the rear wall will be taken out en-
tirely, thereby adding several extra
! feet of working space. This complet-
ed, sub-stage will be constructed di-
recJly under the present stage. which
will be cut into series of sliding
traps. This arrangement furnishes a
solid foundation for the eight horses
and treadmiils employed in the thrill
ing chariot race scene.
ITO the person not familiar with
stage details this work might appear
difficult. 1t is not, however. | have
handled Ben Hur ever since it has
and treadmills employed in the thrill
the same difficulty in nearly every
| theater in this country. The mere
mention of these facts should convince
the public that Il presentment OF Wal
lace's stirring work will be given that
will satisfy the most eXacting.
with the travelling Ben Hur com
pany we carry about 200 people. This
| includes an orchestra of 20 pieces
! composed of artists employed for
many seasons at the Metropolitan
opera house. New York, handling the
| grand opera scores at that amusement
| temple. The orchestra is in charge OF
Guenther Kiesewetter for several
years the head of the New York Arion
society. To transfer the scenec equip
ment from one city to another eight
| 6O-fOot baggage cars are required,
while two Arms Palace stock cars are
utilized for the horses and camels en-
ployed in the spectacle. Ben Hur is
d tremendous attraction from every
point of view and no expense will be
spared in putting forth just as com
plete performance in this city us
one would enjoy at the Illinois Thea
ter. Chicago, the New Amsterdam
theater. New York City, or the Grand
Opera House, at Cincinnati, Ohio.