Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-12
STAGING BEN HUR'
IS No EASY TASK
PRESENTATION OF GREAT PRO.
DUcTIoN REQUIRES ALTERA.
TON At THE GRAND.

Preparations on scale of massive
ness completely eclipsing everything
IN connection with the staging Of a
play in. Ottumwa were arranged this
morning for the presentation of Klaw
and Erlangers spectacular production
of "Ben-Hur' at the Grand opera house
March 80 and 81. when in addition to
two night performances, a matinee will
be given on Tuesday March 81
The staging of Ben Hur' in Ottum-
wa is an event that the best patrons
of amusements as well as leaders in
religious and educational work will
appreciate. The tremendous success
Of this play in the larger cities of the
country, coupled with the fact that
there has never been but one company
in ex jStence Interpreting the work will
attract people to Ottumwa in great
numbers from the surrounding terri
tory. Manager Jersey has contracted
to advertise the play in every town,
village and hamlet within a hundred
miles radius. Mr.. Jersey hopes to have
representative firms of the city CO.
operate In making holiday days for out
of town visitors.
DESTROYS of familiarizing The Courier
readers with just how the big produc-
tion will be handled on the Grand
opera house stage, E. G. Cooke general
agent for Klaw and Changer, who is
in this city experimenting the prelim-
inaries attendant to the staging, was
asked to make statement for publ
cation. Mr.. Cooke said
ITO present 'Ben-Hur' on the Grand
opera house stage, numerous altera-
tons will have to be made. The width
between the fly floors must be increas-
ed for the drop scenes. the carrying
capacity Of the rigging loft doubled to
take care of the immense quantity of
scenic paraphernalia and the paint
bridge attached to the rear wall taken
out entirely, thus adding ten extra
feet. of working space. This complet-
ed, a sub-stage will be. constructed di.
rectly under the present stage, which
will be cut into series of sliding
traps. This arrangement furnishes a !
solid foundation for the eight horses
and heavy treadmills employed in the
thrilling chariot race scene. the pin
nacle of twentieth century stage craft. !
ITO the person not familiar with
stage details this work might appear
1t is not, however. The
same difficulty has been encountered I
in every theater in this country. The
mere mention of these facts will con-
vince patrons that presentment of the
play will be given that will
satisfy the most exacting.
"Ben-Hur' is the biggest organiza-
ton that has ever been sent on tour
in the annals of the American amuse-
ment world. The travelling company
numbers about two hundred people |
This includes an orchestra of twenty
all Of whom have
oeen identified with grand opera per-
'ormances at the New York Metropoli-j
an opera house. The 'Ben-Hur' score,
written by Edgar Stillman Kelley, +
ormerly professor of music at Yale
is very impressive and has
ent dignity and solemnity to the
spectacle that has aided much towards
IS success, Gustav Hinrich, many !
'ears director Of grand opera at the
Metropolitan, personally conducts each |
performance. Il
ITO transfer the scenic. mechanical
md costume equipment from one city
o another, eight 6O-foot baggage cars
re required, while two Arms palace i
took cars are necessary for the horses
nd camels used in this spectacle