The New York herald., 1878-11-06
LONDON'S PRUDERY.
Attempt to Introduce the Ammergau
Passion Play in London.
CARDINAL MANNING'S OPINION.
A London Manager Condemned by the
Public and the Clergy.

LONDON Oct. q. 1873.
Another dramatic sensation; another prohibited
play This time, however. the subject is worth talk
ing about Cardinal Manning and clergymen by the
have been driven to the verge Of madness by
announcement made . few days ago by the manager
Of the Royal Aquarium. the home of fishes, mer-
maids, of acrobats, comic singers performing feas
Zazel and the fair women driven from the Duke Of
Argyll's. The announcement that Mr.. Robertson
'had been able to conclude arrangements for the ap
pearance at the Westminster Aquarium of the world
famed troupe Of the Oberammergau. which is
likely to excite . vast amount Of interest
The mountaineers have for the first
time been induced to leave their homes. in
order to present in England. at the Royal Aqua
rum, q series Of those marvellous living tableaux
representing the most striking incidents Of mans fall
and redemption. The German Passonspiel it is well
known is represented but every ten years at
Oberammergau, and thousands OF spectators travel
from all parts Of the globe to these tableaux and
preate priest and lay have alike We'd in according
their warmest praise to the representation. In june
1870. when the Passionspiel produced, the
spondent Of the Times wrote OF these tabeaux:-.As
they stand they marvellously impressive and
living pictures Of mans fall and redemption. Ihave
affecting spectacle calcu-
lated to draw out the best and purest feelings Of the
heart;' while other writer's of all countries have
spoken most eloquently and enthusiastically in their
praise. The troupe will appear for the first time in
England at the Royal Aquarium the afternoon Of
November 4. and will give Ave other representations
the afternoons Of November g. 8. II. Is and is.
these being their only performances in London"
PROHIBITION RELIGIOUS PLAYS.
SO read the advertisement that caused such COM
motion and indignation in the religious camp. was
about to say righteous indignation, but hardly feel
justified in DOING because becomes in time dis
gused with the constant interference Of the clergy in
matters dramatic It is through the influence Of the
cantish hypocrisy Of the Church that many Of the
most charming operas cannot be produced the
English stage Thus Goldmark's grand opera 1.-THE
Queen Of sheba" cannot be performed in London
unless to another and non-biblical text Moses in
Egypt only be performed oratorio. The
Lords Prayer cannot be sung the stage. The word
Heaven" must take the place OF "God" in the mu-
sical text books. Not long ago there semi-rel
gous performance for Sunday school people, entitled
"Joseph and His Brethren given at . large hall in
Sheffield to very respectable assemblage. The audi
ence pleased but the performance stopped at
once by the authorities. who could not permit
the stage. Joseph and Solomon and the Queen
Of Sheba placed in the index Of prohibited
plays in England as the adaptations made by rising
dranatists Of ''Niniche" and Lies Lonnes Psuvres"
ZUGEL AND THE cRUCIFIxIoN.
Well. the Ammergau sensation has been an interest
ing one; the to those who know that the Am
mergauers intended to come ut ALL but that
Mr.. Robertson had been taken in by travelling
about Austria some years ago giving performances
latter the manner Of the Ammergau Passion Play in
The announcement was made in London that the man
II forget his name) who had secured the mermaid,
the performns hsas the headed nightingale the
in inducing the "mountaineers of Ammergau" (D to
visit London in order to give limited number Of
performances of the ableaux from the Passion Play
Now, knowing the Ammergaucrs intimately having
lived months among them. know they are not fools
time for the performance Of their decadal VOW 1sS0)
and never dreamed for o moment that the announce
ment have given above would be taken in serious
But 10! two papers came out in long ed-
torial condemnstions Of Mr. Robertson. 1T il with
Of shock" says the Morning. Post in which in
loudest power Of expression that tho public
has received intimation that arrangements
Oberammergau for . series Of performances Of the
Passion Play at the Aquarium Theatre 1t has
Of the and des Of the R
deemer OF mankind could be admitted anywhere or
under any circumstance. associated is all that ter
rble history with the most solemn feelings that
human nature Ia capable Of.
INDIGNATION OF rHE PRESS.
stage with all the vulgar associatons Of commercial
speculation. It is too much to hope that nobody will
as L With sa. wight but ses .
those who viii 60 to anything that is shocking.
simply because It is shocking, and the more
shocking the better they like IL. These the people
who would go 10 executions If they public, who
crowd to prize fight and are never so well pleased
when propriety is outraged delicate feelings
shocked These will go to the Passion Play and
crowd the house when the thrilling story Of the four
Evangests s presented 70 their eyes and ears as It
people that will thunder their applause at the dis
comnture of Hcrod and hiss At Judas and make
at st. Peters weakness. and whistle their catcas at
PLATE. Their money will probably recoup the man
agement for the enormous outlay 20 os-
tentatiously advertised. But anything make
up for the injury done to a sacred sub
ject. for the insult to every feeling Of
decent people will the most solemn Of all biblical
subjects degraded into theatrical speculation with
run Of so many nights The play was tolcrsble in
originated With them IL was piety tradition. II
to them what an oratorio is to u.s. But II was
cal management the last sensational thing out The
Lord and His apostles not put an alternative
with zsa no. the q ass @pcs Is s tns
the trapeze."
From the above extract you can sec how deep the
excitement grew. Then came letter from Cardinal
Manning which may Be permitted TO quote in
full -
IAN advertisement announcing that the Ammcrgau
Passion Play about to be represented at the Aqua
nper that a. the Passion PLAY has it's or
igin in Catholic Germany. might have authority to
avert it's most mprudent Introduction into England
thank the writer of tho letter, and would gladly do
so directly II he would send HIS address. have
once before done all in my power to prevent what
believe would be Dissertation Of the Passion Play,
q scandal TO the religious instincts Of Englishmen,
and q PROCLAMATION OF tho most sacred subjects of
our faith About eight nine years ago
received request from some persons 10 sane
ton the introduction OF tho Passion Play into
London. declined to give my sanction. saying that
I should use all influence both here and In Ger
many to prevent II. am informed that company,
not the pous peasants Of Ammergau have endeavored
TO give representations Of the Passion Play in
GERMANY.
government. The usage which still keeps alive peri
oiically the memory OF Divine mercy in time Of
pcstlence by the piously intended representation at
Ammcrgau cannot be transplanted without losing its
sacred character need not say that the transition
from Bavaria to London, from Ammergau 10 tho
AQUARIUM, compels me 10 condemn with greater
promptncss than before 80 grave disregard Of the