Ben-Hur (1899 Young), play

Ben-Hur (1899) is a play by William Young. Based on Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880 Wallace), novel

Abstract

“A play arranged for the stage.” Producers Mark Klaw and Abrahan Erlanger asked Lew Wallace to allow them to stage a theatrical adaptation of his novel. Wallace agreed on the condition that the character of Christ "shall not be personated."

Editions, performances

Published in the United States (New York, NY: 1899). Premiered at the Broadway Theatre in 1900, and in London at the Drury Lane Theatre on 3 Apr 1902. The production depended for its appeal on the moving stage which permitted real horses to gallop in the chariot race.