ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 312, 29 June 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BEN HUR." The following is a brief outline of the great spectacular religious romance, ''Ben Hur," which is to be presented by J. C. Williamson's dramatic organisation on ) Monday, July 8, at the Theatre Royal, | New Plymouth. ''Ben Hur" is acknow- j ledged the most stupendous representation ever sent on tour, and it is stated that over 300 people arc concerned in the production; Ben Hur, son of the princely house of Hur of Jerusalem, is convicted without trial on the false evidence of his traitorous friend i Messala, of assassinating the Procurator, and after being torn from the arms of his mother and sister, is sent to serve in the Roman galleys as a slave. For three years he labors thus, strengthening his body, and nurturing his hate of the Roman conquerors in his breast. At last, by Ins faithful work, he brings himself under the notice of the Tribune Arrius, who believes the story of his innocence, and orders him to be left unchained. In return for this kindness he saves the life of Arrius after the ship had been sunk in battle, and is adopted oy the Tribune, who eventually dies and l leaves him a soldier in the Roman army, I where the Jewish youth has entered in I order to gain the necessary military i knowledge that will fit him to lead a victorious army of his own against their conquerors. While in Rome Ben Hur. becomes known as a great charioteer in the sports that take place there, and his identity is known to none save Arrius, At the death of his benefactor, to whose worldly goods he has fallen heir, he determines to return to Jerusalem in order to discover the fate of his mother and sister, and during the journey stops at Antioch, where he encounters his father's steward and slave, Simonides. Here, also, he meets Simonides daughter Esther, for whom he acquires a great love, but he is lured from his duty to her by the enticements of Iras, the Egyptian, who, with lier radiant beauty and languorous ways, appeals to the baser side of 'his nature. He discovers that his enemy Messala has entered for the great forthcoming chariot race in Antioch, and has staked his fortune on the outcome of the contest. Ben Hur sets to workto gain his revenge, and with the aid of Simonides he secures a team of horses, and in an exciting race he defeats Messala and ruins him. Meanwhile his enemy has gained the love of the vain and wicked Iras. Eventually the Prince of Hur reaches the palace of his fathers at Jerusalem, and here he returns to his first love and scornfully drives out the Egyptian woman. Here, too, the . Biblical strain that runs through the play like v. delicate elusive golden thread is brought into full being with the cleansing of his mother and sister from the leprosy with wTTich they are afflicted as a result of their long.imprisonment, and by Ben Hur's discovery that Jesus of Nazareth, whom he expected to lead the Jews against their oppressors, is the Nazarin. The plan will tie opened on Thursday next at Collier's.