The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1879-03-08
The Passion Play.

FranciscOa "pasSion play" anC
the comments thereon by tn
press of that city, has induced tn
writer to give the following re
miniscences of one witnessed b.
J him at Madrid, Spain, in 1875. L
has been thecustomf for manyyear
in that city for two theatres t.
present "La Passion y Muerte de
Jesus "(The passion and death o.
Jesus) every Friday during Lent
On this occasion the text as de-
claimed-was written by one Enri-
que Zumel, expressly, for the
Teatro Martin.
The posters and play bills were
placarded profusely throughout
the city, and from my first sight
of them until the final fall of the
curtain, the impression was that
of a most stupendous, blasphe-
nous mockery, even the flip
pant way in which the names of
the dramatis perSon9 were given,
that of a favOritE actor in large
type, while that of Christ, whom
he represented, was in small let
tiers. In fact | noticed throughout
the whole affair what Is apparent
everywhere in Spain, more re-
spect and devotion to the Virgin
than to the Saviour. Devout per-
sons. starting on a journey,
commend themselves, and are
commended to the care of
God and Virgin; all through this
sa cred drama, as it is called, the
sufferings, insults and agony of
Jesus, and they were often rem
derd with fearful reality, seemed
to excite little or no sympathy
or feeling, on the contrary, often
melted jest and laughter among
the actors as well as the audience,
while the sorrows of Mary moved
many to tears, and yet the wo-
man who took this part, aside
from being a bad actress, lacked
the usual causes of sympathy
from Madrid public, beauty of
face and figure; fancy a Virgin
Mary who squints, is old, very
stout, and giggles, even after the
crucifixion, while mourning at the
foot of the cross; both she and the
Magdalen did this, the latter in
the midst of her speech declaring
her repentance smiling at and
recognizing her friends among
the audience. The only actors
who appeared to be at all aware
of the serious nature of the per-
formance or who tried to act well
their part, were those who per-
sonated Christ and Pontlus Pi-
late.
The theater is small and badly
ventilated, but as regards costume
and scenery the play was well put
upon the stage.
At a little after eight o'clock
the curtain rose upon a crowd
who are narrating the rumorS of
Christ and the fame of his mira
cles, with matter of fact COM
ments. Jesus appears, with the
apostles; these try to keep back
the children who run up to Him,
and are rebuked. The Magdalen
suddenly repents, is forgiven,
and one or two parallels follow.
He declares that the time has
come for his entrance into Jeru-
salem. Mary appears; tries to
dissuade Him, and He even seems
to be yielding, but finally invOkes
her blessing, which is given; He,
the apostles and the crowd kneel-
ing to receive it, an attention not
once vouchsafed to the Son, and
this scene is rendered as impress
sive as possible, and during the
whole play she is made the prom
inent parsonage. | saw several
females among the audience
crossing themselves. Peter and
John are sent out for the ass,
Christ follows to meet them, and