Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1911 — TO PRODUCE “BEN-HUR.” [ARTICLE]

TO PRODUCE “BEN-HUR.”

In Lafayette, Indiana, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings, and Wednesday Matinee, April 24, 25 and 2f>. Much interest has been manifested concerning the mechanical methods of the thrilling race employed in Klaw & Erlanger’s new and greater production ot General Wallace’s spectacle. “Ben-Hur” which is to be presented at the Dreyfus Theatre, Lafayette, Indiana, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Wednesday matinee, April 21. 25 an 26. In this great arenic contest the spectator sees eight horses galloping at break-neck speed and straining every muscle to gain the race within the ampitheatre. Behind each quartet of horses is a Roman chariot. The wheels revolve rapidly; the chariots lurch and sway and the flaming beribboned garments of the drivers flutter behind them, adding intensity to the realism of the scene. The illusion is still further increased as the interior wall of the ampitheatre moves along anil the dust flies in blinding clouds beneath the crushing wheels" of the chariots; The clatter of the rushing hoofs of the horses and the rumble of the chariots are distinctly heard. Elaborate mechanism and applications of electricity produce this great effect. The mechanism of two great cradles, twenty feet in length and fourteen feet wide, and which are movable back and forth on railways, is supported by a bridge structure capable of holding twenty tons. The tops of the cradles are two inches above the level of the stage. Each cradle bears the four horses and the chariot of each contestant. On each cradle there are four runways and treadmills of hickory slats two inches wide and covered with rubber; they are twelve feet long and two and a half feet wide. On each of these treadmills a horse is secured by steel cable traces, which hold him in place and prevent him from moving forward off the runways. As each horse gallops, the treadmill revolves under his feet, thereby eliminating the forward pressure created by the impact of his hoofs, which . would force him ahead on an immovable surface.. By this mechanical arrangement it is possible for the horses actually to gallop with all their speed within the space of their own length. It is considered the most realistic effect ever seen upon the stage.

For the accommodation of out of town visitors who will want to witness tfae staging of “Ben-Hur” in Lafayette, the management of the Dreyfus Theatre announce that special attention will be given to all orders for seats received by mail. Seats for “Ben-Hur” will be placed on sale Thursday morning April 20. Prices will range from 50c to $2.00. First eleven rows main floor $2.00, balance $1.50; first three rows balcony $1.50, balance SI.OO. Mail orders must be accompanied by remittance. Personal checks not accepted.