The Washington times., 1913-04-13
BEN HUR" WILL Be
SEEN At NATIONAL
Promoters Have Attempted to
Make Wallace Drama Espec-
/ tally Notable This Year.

NAV d Erianger apply to their new
production of ''Ben-Hur," which will be
disclosed at the National Theater next
week.
To make the Wallace play especially
notable in this, its fourteenth season.
the promoters have availed themselves
OF every opportunity offered to arrange
a performance of great pictorial beauty
and exceptional magnitude New seen
cry and costumes have been prepared
and all the striking effects of the orig
inal production have been elaborated
Inc chariot race, which many insist on
hrst considering, though in reality il is
not the power of ''Ben-Hur," will be as
intensely Interesting and thrilling as of
oin, with Its three quadruple teams of
horses urged on by contesting drivers.
The interior of the Roman galley. with
Its horde OF chained slaves and the
reyels of the nymphs before the temnje
OF Apollo in the grove of Daphne, will
enlist the services of double the number
engaged In the original production, while
tne nnal tableau. the Mt of Olives,
with its throng of palm-bearing wor-
shippers and lepers assembled to meet the
3Nazarene twhose presence is indicated
by shaft of powerful white light will
De made vitally realistic by the number
VINO participate in it and by the impress
by Edgar Stillman Kelley, which will be
interpreted by chorus of 100 voices and
an augmented orchestra More than 90
people will take part in the ensembles
All that relates TO the religious ele-
ment in this powerful story is treated
with the utmost respec; and reverence
au0 ministers and churchgoers gener-
ally indorse ''Ben-Hur' as a great les
son for the lover of Biblical lore. The
IIramatic Ira SIDE of the story has been no
-
OF Ben-Hur's love for Esther; the fasci-
hation OF Ben-Hur by the Egyptian Iras.
and the rivalry of the Roman MessaIs
Tor her favor; the hatred which sprines
up oetween the two men-aH go to make
up tale of intrigue and power such a
is seldom seen within the walls of
theater. The seat sale opens Tri,rsCi.v
April IL. There Will be natinees WA
nesday and Saturday.
The Passing Show of lsIs.' from the
New York Winter Garden, comes to the
Belasco Theater next week after its
Metropolitan enga cement, and a long
run in Chicago The description. which
calls the piece.''a kaleidoscope almanac
20 nicety. Its foundation is novelty
In abundance. brilliant costumes,
snappy business, legions of pretty girls.
tuneful music and plenty of fun. The
Ute SuS SSeSlS a NlQe 1elG OF dcllOn ana
really nothing of importance theatrical.
political or otherwise, which occurred
within the year has been overlooked. 1t
Is an entertaining medley of good
things.
The Winter Garden, since its incep-
ton. three years ago, has harbored the
biggest musical shows ever presented In
New York. After The Whir1 of So.
ciety," ''vera Violetta" and The Must-
cal Revue of l911," 1t seems impossible
"a 70
compare with the traditions of the re-
sort Yet In The Passing Show Of
1872" this was not only done. but even
surpassed
The marvellous scope of Edisone
talking pictures will be Illustrated in
a more surprising and enjoyable way
than ever at Chases next week, COM
mencipg at pIni ?; m apris Tfrsc1ions Il foremost
will be Her Redemption said to be
sociological play, with grippin- scenes
and stirring lines. enacted by cast OF
prominent New York players: Another
win be an abbreviated production de
luxe of Planchette's celebrated grand
opera, 1.-The Chimes of Normandy.
with its numerous masterpieces OF mel
ody the world over.
In the former the utterances of the
actors, and in the latter the voices of
the grand opera singer and the chorus,
together with the playing of the or
cfestra, are in perfect unison with the
action. In addition to the talking
movies" there will be the newest Kline
macolor and "first-run'' photodramas,
and every day will find the latter en-
tirely changed, although the Edison
talking pictures will remain the same
throughout the week. The performances
continue daily from / to II p. m.
and on Sundays from to 1890 D. m.
.
Louis n. Parker's most delightful fan
tasy, ''Pomander Walk will be the
offering of the Poll Players next week.
Mr.. Poll has obtained the original scenic
production for this play which attract
ed capacity audiences to local theater
last spring. IL is one of the quaintest
entertainments over placed Upon the
stage. Its story of love is charm.nsly
simple and ii is told in Mr.. Parkers
most brilliant and poetic style. Every
character In the story is revealed with
cameo-like distinctness by the author
and each part affords big opportunities
for the actors to whom entrusted.
Another big success in the form of an
elaborate society comedy Is promised
for the second week Of the Columbia
Players at the Columbia Theater next
week. 1t is Clyde Fitch's notable offer
ing, 'The Girl With the Green Eyes"
in which Clara Bloodgood and big
New York company attained an extend
ed run at the Savoy Theater few years
ago.
The play is in four acts and calls for
both scenic and wardrobe displays Of
the most elaborate character.
The life story of the great Thurston.
who will appear at the Academy next
Week is in Itself a history of remark
able advancement in the conjurer's art.
From small beginning with pack Of
cards as a sole asset. ne now carries
two carloads OF baggage and para
phenalia.
At the beginning of his professional
usual path then trod by maGicians, and
set for himself a high standard of per-
fection that has been characteristic of
his success. for he sought for novel
ties. for the big creations and the
most wonderful Illusions.
Among the many new features for
this season are The Daylight Ghosts"
The Vanishing Deryishes. The
Haunted Window" The Chair OF
Asia" The Bankok Bungalow and
The Siamese Cabinet"
The Broadway Burlesquers will visit
the lyneLm next week, bringing with
them tyr. original burlesques in which
are featured vaudeville numbers. and
several entirely new musical compo-
.ttions, Bright and catchy ensemble
numbers, r well drilled chorus. ana
specially numbers go to constitute an
evenings entertainment that is claimec
10 be one of the best that has been
seen at the LyceIm this season.
Following Robinsons "Crusoe Girls
at the Gayety. the Star and Garter