The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-12
ACTING A PASSION PLAY.
THE OPPOSITION or SAN FRANCISCO
CHRISTIANS AROUSED.
ClerRymen Protecting, and n Ronrd OF Super-
visors Passing ProhibitOry Resolution
Tho nrnnan And IL FIrat Herfnrmnnce.

ClerRymen Protecting, and n Honrd OF Euper- |
vIsors Passing "a ProhibItory ResoIutton-
The Drama and Its First Performance.
SAN Francisco, March IA passion play
has been acted ut the Grand Opera House for
week. On the night OF the opening. the Board
OF Supervisors passed an ordinance prohibit
ing any performance displaying. or tending to
display. tho life and death OF Jesus Christ"
and fixing n penalty of 81 900. week must
elapse between the passage OF IN ordinance
and it's enforcement; but the necessary time
has now passed In this instance. and the sup
preston Of the drama in question is to DO ut
onoe undertaken. Much feeling has been
aroused on the subject. The Mayor appealed
to the author Mr.. Selmi Morse. who is q jew.
but no declined TO withdraw tho piece. Tho
managers OF the theatre. too. refused to change
their plans. The District Attorney was in
cined TO take action. but became convinced that
he could not stop the performances until tho
new ordinance should 90 into effect. The Epls-
copal Clergy resolved that the play. whether
so intended or not. It is an outrage on the
reverential feelings and deepest convictions OF
all Christians. and will exert n pernicious in
fiuence on the thoughtless and pro'ane." The
Ministerial Union published warning to
Christians not to countcnance the project. and
added: while we deprecate all theatre-gong
"a perilous to good morals we are especially
panied at this wanton assault on the sanctity OF
the hottest mysteries of our religion" The cast
for the piece was drawn from the companies OF
several OF the city theatres. and included sew
eral excellent actors. A difficulty was expert
enced. however. in getting women to appear in
it. and several withdrew after attending re-
hearsals. Financially. the enterprise has been
only moderately successful, and may be aban-
doned voluntarily
Ff,ra me SIN EaR-so Cironil,. Niyoh 4
Tho excitement created by the opposition to
the production Of tho passion play had the
effect of drawing n large crowd to the front OF
| the Opera House last evening. largely composed
| OF n class too ready to improve any opportunity
for the creation OF tumut and disorder without
tho slightest reference to any religious senti-
mont. The attendance was very fair. the par
| quot and dress circle being filed with very
quiet audience There was some manifestation
OF n disorderly element in the gallery. but after
n few slight attempts at ridcule at the outset 1t
subsidized into respectful attention. and any
| interruptions were suppressed with marked
expressions Of dsapproval 10y the audience
generally. The more impressive scenes were
| received with rcverential silence which
their deep solemniX seemed to command.
Jesus Christ. James ONeill; Pontits Plate.
Lewis Morrison; Herod, Samuel W; ,Picrcy
Simeon. A. D. Bradley: HIGH Priest. f. NJ Rob
inson; Joseph. J. n. Long Judas Iscdrioi. King
lledly; Peter j. Ambrose; First Lsrhe, J. W.
Thompson IhG Irgtn Marv Miss May wilkes ii,
West; witch Of hS,dor. Mrs. Farren. II must be
admitted that the presentation OF the play OK
cited the greatest possible interest. and that
considering tho immense difficulties 10 over
come. SO that religious preIudices should not be
too much engendered its production WAS an
strains of sacred melody that formed tho over
ture to the religious drama to the conclusion.
execution, the interest Of the numerous specta-
tors WAS riveted, ~ II spellbound. and at the
plHuse was bestowed.
The incidents Of the play are mainly the
same rs in the New Testament but the text is
married by high flown. ambiguous language
that is greatly at variance with the sacred
dramas OF the medieval period. that oven then
in the dawn OF English literature, were re-
markable Tor their pure. concise wording. Tn,
play IL divided into Blk scenes, the hrst show
SiDison announces the divinity OF Jesus Clrist
| The high priest Is incensed and seeks HerOd
whom Anna dcnounccs In terms Of reproacl
and Of inspiration. message arrives from
Herod 20 destroy the child. but AS the centurion
is about to stab him. his anger is changed e
alteration. and he furnishes to Joseph tn,
means 90 escape 10 Egypt The second scen'
represents IN" hight, and whom. overcome by pri
der sycamore. the foliage grows miraculousli
and envelops them. hiding them from tho sol
diery. who. IN pursuance OF H,TodS cdict. PRO
coed 10 tue massacre Of the inuocents. Tn,
third scene reir sents Httod IN his palace VIII
Her0iGS. his wife. pleading for the death %
,Join ice baptist. who in the desert denouncc,
her as impure and criminal HerOd refuses
| but n rs the birthday OF NdlOmf, a daughter %
the Queen 10y former husband. and 20 her h'
. promises the tul1lment 81 any wish she MAJ
make. Then HG'Odids induces her TO claim th'
, head Of John tie baptist AT the same time th'
high priests dcnouncc the Saviour for his doe
| trines and his miracles. and demand hii
| persecution. Herod refuses. and soon ate
, | the death OF john the Baptist his ARM
is ovcrthrown. and. recognizing tho min
istry Of the Saviour he declares that hence
| forth he shall be held sacred. The Nth sccn
represents the Brook OF Cedron, wher
! the Saviour. assembled with his disciples
hears OF the death of John he Baptist. and amid
| their prayers and lamentations reeound
e | chorus OF cherubs. The sixth scene is tn
Lords supper. and when the disciples sleel
| during the agony in the garden. Judas arrives
r with the soldiery and betrays bis master by
: kiss. The Saviour is seized and performs
u miracle before he is carried on 10 trial Tn
| final scene IL the Gabatna, with FOhfuS Piidt
In the seat OF justice. The Infatuated populace
| led by their priests. insist on the death Of yesu
| and on the release of Barabbas. I0fifuts Itldt
. protests in vain against their Vindictive re
solves. but ut last yields under protest TO thei
desires showing obedience TO Jewish religion
9 tenets rather than to Roman law. Jesus CIui'
4 is seized and scourged. and the play Is brougi
to a conclusion by n tabeau OF the Descer
| from the Cross" copied from Rubens's master
! | pioce.
| a