DRURY LANE CAMEL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 92, 7 June 1912, Page 8

DRURY LANE CAMEL.

ACTORS IN "BEN Hl'R." Twenty-three horses with a good deal of stage experience, and a camel, also in the "profession" (and a. cheerfullooking beast as camels go) were disembarked at Tilbury the other day when the Minnetouka arrived from America. They have parts to fulfil in the revival of. "Ben Hur" at Drury Lane. One particular horse lias been figuring in the spectacle of the chariot race for 12 years, and is still galloping. According to his trainer he absolutely enjoys it. All the horses underwent special training for the stage from their youth up. Their special accomplishment is the fact i.iit they gallop keeping their feet close together. This is necessary because they are on rollers when the race is taking place, tho illusion of their progress round the track being completed by the shifting of the scenic background, representing the amphitheatre full of excited spectators.

So realistic is the spectacle that even experienced members of the cast when Standing in the wings have been seen to shrink back before the oncoming chariots, though no danger can threaten them. Over £SOOO was spent in perfecting the mechanism for the spectacle. A Neck-to-neck Race.

Four of the horses have Arab blood i.'i their veins—these making up the winning team driven by Ben Hur. The others are thoroughbreds, fast tretters on the road many of them. Ben Hur has suffered much through the villainy of Messala, his rival in the race, and lus triumph brings him sweet revenge. But it is a near thing, and the chariots pass and repass each other often, raising the audience to the highest pitch of excitement. All the animals, which are valued a/t from £l2O Do £l5O each, are insured and are exercisod and groomed daily by a staff of men.

The camel appears in a desert scene with three wise men at the opening of the play, and is' credited with being the best-tempered animal of its species that Westerners have ever discovered, notwithstanding its slightly supercilious expression.

Some 600 people are engaged in the production.