ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 309, 26 June 1912, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BEN HUE." Although it is over ten years sinee "Ben Hur," to be produced here by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., on Monday, July 8, was first staged in Australia, the sensation it created at that time in Sydney still lives fresh in the memories of playgoers, and notwithstanding the advancement since made in stage ingenuity, it is generally acknowledged that nothing approaching the great chariot race has ever been attempted on the Australasian Stage. It was only the big fire which completely destroyed His Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, which prevented "Ben Hur" from enjoying a record run. The raeecourse production in "The Whip" presented four galloping horses, engaged in a keen struggle, but that effect, it is stated, pales into comparative insignificance beside the chariot race. In the latter we see the rivals "Ben Hur" and "Messala" each behind three magnificen* thoroughbred horses engaged in a thrilling struggle for supremacy, which culminates in one of the finest stage spectacles yet witnessed on the stage. Altogether there are 14 scenes in "Ben Hur," each one a work of art. Perhaps the most artistic of all is that representing Mount Olivet. "Ben Hur" is (fa« from being merely a spectacular drama. Its tragic story requires telling acting, and it is stated that in the selection of artists the Williamson management have been most fortunate. Altogether over SCO people are concerned in th* production of "Ben Hur." The plans will be opened on Thursday, Julv 4 at Collier's.