The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-20
Standardization"

Nat1OHaI-'ben.f
Klaw & changers presentation of
"Ben-Hur'' comes to the National Thea
ter this week
Presented originally at the Broadway
Theater. New York, November %, 1899,
this romance of the House of Hur is
now in its fourteenth year.
In the delineation of the living Christ.
Gen. Wallace, and his dramatizer, Mr..
William Young, have been so reverent
and so much under the spell of the Son
of Man that they have given to this
vivid drama of the time a tinge of re-
ligious exaltation seldom found in q
church. This is done at no sacrifice of
dramatic values in fact, 1t rather en-
hances the effect of the big scenes of the
play, and the atmosphere of mysticism
which pervades the closing act set in
the vale outside the gates of Jerusalem
on the glorious day of Jesus triumphal
entry into the city. makes that scene the
most impressive ever shown i'm a thea
ter.
OF a totally different nature is the
marvellous chariot race, the real crux
of the drama from a spectacular and
theatrical standpoint. It. in this scene
that fortune is tested by the two most
vitality wrought into the fabric of the
plays plot, Ben-Hur and MESSIAH, his
false friend, the moment for which both
valiantly do they set themselves to find
which of the two shall live in honor,
love- and riches. The hate brewed be-
tween the two is so terrific that nothing
less than disgrace and beggary will sat-
isfy either, and as their chariots. to
each of which are harnessed four fiery
horses fly around the ampitheater, the
spectators yielding to the magic realism
of the scene, sit with abated breath and
tense nerves awaiting the outcome Of
the conflict. And when il comes, and
Ben-Hur, triumphins= over his enemy, re-
ceives the plaudits and the victors
crown, audiences go wild with delight.
Among the members Of the fine COM
pany assembled to present "Ben-Hur' is
Thomas Holding, who has the title role,
a part which he has played many times
in England and which fits his superb
physique to perfection. Wedgwood sNo-
we'll is the Messiah; Ben F. Mears plays
Simonides; Leslie Stowe Is the Ilderim.
Others are Walter M. Sherwin, Willard
Blackmore, George Sydenham, Muriel
Godfrey Turner, Florence Auer, Mary
Condor, Louise HUFF, and Alice Haynes.
1t is well to bear in mind the fact that
the curtain rises on the evening per-
formances of "Ben-Hur'' promptly at s
o'clock and at 2 o'clock on the matinees,
and that no one will be seated during
the prelude, which shows the appear
ance of the Star of Bethlehem to the
Three Wise Men. and which should be
seen by all who would thoroughly enjoy
the performance of "Ben-Hur.'
BeIasco-''Passing Show of 1912"
has pleased gay New Workers. for six
months at the Winter Garden and with |
a mountaineering run in Chicago, THE |
Passing Show of 1872" with its entire |
original cast and production comes to |
the Belasco Theater the week beginning
April q. The innumerable features of |
this revue are said to be sucn as to ex- |
cite the most blase. The harem scene-I
from Kismet-a travesty on an imposing |
dramatic situation in the great DRAMA
is accredited with being the acme of !
delight. A special tank. in which the |
chorus girls plungs and splash, is in |
stalled in the center of the stage, and /
through the medium of a series Of mir |
rors, the pleasant sight is multiplied |
tenfold.
The roster of the company includes such |
well-known stars as Trixie Friganza, one
Of the cleverest travesty artists now be-
fore the public: Charles ]. Ross. an ac-
peer of the travesty world;
Clarence Harvey, a darper little light
comedian: Texas Guinan, a charmingl
singing comedienne; the Howard brothers.
Eugene and Willie, who have made
countless thousands laugh with their
funny comedy; Louise Brunette, a charm
ing prima donna; Morris and Moon, the
silent and graceful devotees Of the, fasci-
mating art of terpsichore; Albert Henson,
the splendid and unctuous actor; Ernest /
Hare, the well-known barytone soloist, |
and the Incompatible Adelaide, assisted |
by Mr. ]. ]. Hughes, in classic and syn
copated dances.
Travesties on such well-known playsI
as Bought and Paid For" "Bunty Pulls
the Strings" "A Butterfly on the Wheel"
"Kismet," THE Typhoon,'' THE Quakerl
Girl" THE Pirates of Fenzance."