New-York tribune., 1920-06-27
mecca" Huge Musical Work
Produced by Comstock and
Cest, to Open in September

F. Ray Comstock and Morris Gest
once each year put forth efforts to give
New York something unusual in the
way Of new theatrical sensation.
Last year it was "Aphrodite;" the
year before it was "Chu Chin Chow"
and the year preceding that it was
"The Wanderer." Morris Gest has just
returned from Europe where he sought
costumes and scenery with which to
embellish the firms new spectacular
production Mecca" which is to have
its worlds premier at the Century
Theater in September.
For nearly year there have been
various reports regarding the size of
this production, the beauty of the
costumes and scenery, and the fact
that in this play Oscar Asche, the
Greater of "Chu Chin Chow" would
try to outdo his former efforts.
81 believe the new Oscar Asche
spectacle will be regarded as the last
word in spectacular stage achieve
ment," said Morris Gest in discussing
the plans for mecca" "Not only is
the limit gradually being reached for
possible stage expenditures, but the
number of scenes and of people re-
quired to outdo former efforts is be-
coming so prohibitive that do not be-
lleve | will ever attempt such q
colossal undertaking again.
II nearly had nervous prostration in
staging 'Aphrodite,' which cost $500, 900
in money and many sleepless nights of
worry. wish to do big things in an
artistic way, but l am afraid this con-
stant strain of making a great big
production every year will ultimately
wear out the nerves Of any man.
When I get through with Mecca
therefore, l have determined to take q
vacation and hope to go to Japan
and make tour of the world to rest.
Mecca is going to be my supreme
production, firmly believe. It unqucs-
tionably will be one of the most beau
tiful things ever offered in New York,
and am proud and happy that we
shall have the privilege of presenting
this offering for its worlds premier
This is made possible through the fact
that Oscar Asche, who wrote the play
for himself and intended to produce it
first in London, has had to postpone
continued success in 'Chu Chin Chow
which is still running at His Majesty's
Theater, and is now about to enter
upon its fifth year of success. Since
Mr. Asche cannot appear in it person
ally in London at the present time
and l am under contract to produce
it in New York in September. the
worlds premier will take place here
and | hope Mr.. Asche will come to
America to supervise the final details
'The story of Mecca takes place in
Cairo, in ancient Egypt, and deals with
the life and customs of the Orient
with strong love story and an under.
current of drama based upon the fact
that when follower of Mahomet com.
mits mortal sin it can be expiated
only by a trip to the holy city of
Mecca in Arabia.
"The play is in fourteen scenes and
requires the most elaborate stage set
tings. 1t calls for company Of more
than 400 persons, and ITS stage hands
are required to operate the production.
There will be an orchestra of more
than fifty-four musicions, who will
play the beautiful score composed by
Percy e. Fletcher, the composer, Of
London.
"1n connection with the production
of Mecca l am very proud to point
out one fact and that is the firm of
Comstock and Gest will then have on