Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-11-18
TEE PLAY.
Views from the Author Of II. the Actors,
and Q Leading Clergymsu.


and Leading Clergymsu.
New YoRS, November lin view ot
the discussion relating to the Passion
Play, a reporter called yesterday upoa
James O'Neill and Lewis Morrison, who
took part in the performance at San
Francisco. Both expressed themselves
as filled with spirit OF reverence and
even awe while engaged in the perform
ance. While the reporter was conVers'
ing with Mr.. Morrison, Salmi 7. Morse,
author Of the play, entered and express
ed his opinions in regard to his own
work.
James ONeill, who took the part OF
the Christus in the San Francisco pro-
duction, was found at the Union Square
Hotel. When asked by the reporter to
speak Of the Passion Play. he shook his
head and said:
al cannot; don't know what to say
"You know that it IL strongly oppos-
ed by the clergy here"
"Tney do not know what they are
talking about 1t is the grandest spec
tacle ever saw. Ii cannot produce IN
the spectator any other feelings than
those of the deepest reverence and even
awe. We never played To large houses
in San Francisco; but noticed the same
faces in the audience every night.
myself used to feel overcome with the
solemnity of the part | was playing l
was unwilling to undertake II at first,
but now | never want TO play anything
else. IL the public will support me-, |
shall devote the remainder of my lie to
this great work. | have no DIES r. to 20
back 10 the routine work OF the stage al
all. believe | can 10 more good by
this representation than any OF the min
listers from their pulpits
Lewis Morrison, who has lately come
from California expressly to act PontiuS
Plate in the Passion Play, was sitting in
the entrance to the hotel smoking a
cigar. When questioned by the reporter,
he said:
"What do I think OF the Passion Play?
Does not my coming from San Francisco
to play a part that does not begin until
the piece is nearly en- led speak Tor ITSELF
| am profoundly impressed with the
spirit OF that play. You can hardly
comprehend the feelings with which the
actors approached their work. The
light. careless demeanor that generally
marks their actions during the entire acts
completely disappeared. Every one felt
as il he was in temple where solemn
service was taking place. Twill tell you
an incident that shows how We
felt. O'Nelll and l acted together for
wears, and / know all his habits. He
always carries in his dressing case a short
meerschaum pipe. The first nisht Of
the Passion Play he came into the dress
ing room after his first scene and sat
down. For q few minutes he did not
speak. Then mechanically, from sheer
force of habit, he reached for his pipe.
When his hand touched it he seemed to
awake. He started and looked at me.
| said: Don't jim; not now'-and he
didn't"
Atthis point Salmi P. Morse, the au.
thor Of the play, approached. He
said:
"This WORK is the Growing effort of
my Life. l believe myself to be a
teacher of religion as much as any
preacher. These men and women who
act are my scolytes, my incense bearers.
my choir. spent five years and half
in Jerusalem studying the Passion
Plays as presented by the monks. /
studied the Obersmmergau play, and
came to the opinion that those priests
were hiding q precious jewel in an un-
seemly sitting. believe have set it
in O more fitting way. have not Sc
lected my company on account OF any
reputation attached to its individual
members, but because OF their fitness to
portray the characters Of the play.
There h not one solitary word that can