ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 317, 5 July 1912, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"BEN HUR." Never before lias such a gigantic production been sent on tour by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management as "Ben Hur," and never has it been necessary to make so many alterations to the appointments of the various theatres in which the stupendous religious drama is to be staged. For the New Plymouth representation, which takes place on Monday night, Mr. Williamson's mechanical and electrical staff, which arrived from Auckland yesterday, are already preparing. The stage is being considerably strengthened, 50 'extra pairs of •blocks and lines are to be bung, elaborate preparations are being made for the thrilling chariot race and the realistic wreck scene, extra dressing-room accommodation is being erected, and additional electrical apparatus >has been installed for some of the big tableaux. Two sets of scenery and effects were built in Sydney, so that while the piece is being performed in one town .the other set is forwarded,on to the next. Those for the production here have already arrived, so that everything will be in absolute preparedness before the company's arrival. Many popular stories have been dramatised, but few indeed are so eminently well suited for the dramatic form as ''Ben Hur." In writing the book General Lew Wallace produced an admitted master piece of its kind. It makes manifest the mind and 'heart of a sincerely religious man in whose 'conception of the facts at the base of Christianity there is no taint of mawkishness or bigotry. Keeping clear of all suspicion of irreverent familiarity with sacred names and incidents made holy by two thousand years of faith, it still makes the period of Christ live. It shows facts and tendencies, conditions an ' nr.\jiron : ment, exactly as they were; and ty its force of legitimate graphic description and reminder, it makes the picture vital and compelling. The plans are now open at Collier's. The s.s, Rarawa is making a special trip on Sunday morning from Oneliunga to bring the "Ben Hur" company to New Plymouth. She is due here late on Sunday night.