“DAMON AND PYTHIAS.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1485, 14 December 1915, Page 2

“DAMON AND PYTHIAS.”

TO NIGHT. Let your imagination picture an area of 1000 acres ; 500 carpenters under the supervision of 20 architects, with a thorough knowledge of Grecian architecture; 1500 actors and actresses, the engagement aud selection of whom took six weeks; not the usual one stage manager, but twelve to handle the mobs and crowds, and it is said that some slight Idea will be gained ot the enormous labour and expense necessary to produce a huge dramatic spectacle like “ Damon and Pythias.” There were hundreds upon hundreds of costumes to be made; accurate drawings uot only of . every structure in the production, but also of every individual property, such as helmets, chariots, breastplates, and shields—sufficient accoutrements ot battle to accommodate 500 soldiers. In addition to the actors there were .ten specially-selected dancers and 100 men were engaged solely for their gladiatorial physiques. Then imagine five acres of absolute flames, showing hundreds of fugitives fleeing, while the city is being assaulted by vast numbers of soldiers and chariot led armies, aud oue begins to comprehend the much-discussed difference between “Damon and Pythias” and the average melodrama, which iu most cases has peen merely produced in a studio with possibly ten to twenty, or possibly forty performers. “ Damon and Pythias ” be presented here to-night at the Town Hall, admission 6d aud is, booking 6d extra.