The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-12

BEAUTIFUL
PRODUCTION OF ben HCR'

! Before an audience which packed
! the Academy from pit to dome, Cen
eral Lew wallace's beautiful story of
Ben Hur" was portrayed last night
by company of exceptional talent.
and with incidental music and scenic
effects that bespoke the master hands
OF those greatest of all producers.
Klaw and Erlanger Seldom does an
original X. and r. cast appear In
Richmond, but when they sponsor a
play, they may be counted upon to
furnish actors who are in every re-
speot equal to the casts provided for
New York and the large cities.
So often has "Ben Hur" been seen
here and so many have read the book.
that a description of the play is need
less and useless, consequently our re-
marks will be addressed only to the
cast to whom fulsome praise is due
from the leading ones TO those filling
the smallest parts, and even the chorus
and da1cing girls.
AS Ben Hur." Robert Frazer gave
virile and forceful performance, not
only In the stronger scenes when he
is confronted by his adversaries
among the Romans. but also in his
tenderer moments when comforting
his mother and sister. ana when WOO
ing tAe gentle Esther.
AS ''Stmonides,' the wise and crafty
n erchant OF Antioch, Walter Sher-
win revealed a marvelously well train
ed and modulsted voice, and acted
with skill and touch which bespoke
the studious and well trained actor of
many parts. Seldom has Richmond
witnessed a performance such as his
last nigh, In the part of the sinuous
fascinating, and passionate Egyptian
girl 'lras." Virginia Howell played
with an art which made the part
stand out, despite its more or less un-
attractiveness as compared TO others
more sympathetic.
The fiery "Messala'' with all his
proud Roman ancestry, was splendid
~ cared for by Edmund Roberts, a
young actor of youth and freshness,
who never overacted in part too
easily suited for such purposes. Mil
dred BIZ ght, beautiful and winsome
lass. made of Esther" the beloved OF
"Ben Hur' an appealing picture. A
touch Of comedy relief was afforded by
Leslie stowe. who played me BLUM and
hearty Arabian "Ilderim." The moth
er OF Ben Hur' was ably portrayed
by Gilberta Faust, and "Tirzah," her
daughter. most acceptably by Anna
" GdhGI - IilpSA SN III pathetic per-
Torrance was given by Stella Boniface
Weaver as "Amrah." the faithful old
nurse, while others in the large cast
deserving especial mention are Harry
Cowan az "Maliuch," Herbert Charles
as "Drusus." Cassius Quinby as San
ballat," and William Nicholson as
"Balthazar."
The choruses were we'll sung, the
incidental music we'll rendered under
the able leadership Of George Hard
ing, with a special orchestra of flfs
teen, and the scenic effects were per-
feet and most maryelously, efficient
~ and promptly handled in the scene
on Mount Olivet, where the pres
ence" is suggested. nothing mars the
solemnity of the occasion. In fact all
the scenes are handled most rev.
erently.
No theatergoer who has never seen
Ben Hur" can afford to miss the
opportunity for this play Is one of
the classics OF the stage, and once
seen never t. be forgotten. There
Will be three more performances, and
word to the wise is sufficient
ALVIN NJ. SMITH.