Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-06-24
Ober-Ammereats.
The FasaiOa Play-Its Origin and
His ory-1fs :" Thentres"-Its /" Stage
Business"-AcsOrs, &c, DC,

The Fassion PIay-Iss Origin and
His ory-1ss Z" Thentres"-Ir. +" Stage
Bu.ines."-Acrors, &c. DC.
WILMINGTON, NC, j J1ne II 1850
Editor Observer:. SRA friend
an eye witness of the. acting OF the
" Passion Play Of Ober-Ammergau
kindly allows the writer to place at the
disposal of the "Obseryer" his notes
and cbservatloas upon tins famoas dra
ma, which is now attraetmg-as for two
centuries past it has attracted-the in
terest and attention If all Europe.
The account will ipciudea sketch of
the origin and histor5-of the play. with
the method and manner of its represen.
ta,ion will endeavor to explain its
purpose and meaning, and describe the
impressions it produces upon a large
and mixed audience; and will give seri-
atm. as nearly in their entirety as may
be. the acts and scenes that 60 to make
up this off shoot Of the dramatic Iitera-
ture Of the middle ages.
Ober Ammergau, where, upon every
Sunday, until the Goth oe September
next, the famous 'sPassion PLAY will
be performed, is little Alpine village
perched up in the Bavarim Highlands,
about sixty miles south west of Munich.
1t is far removed from, the ordinary
route of travellers, the nearest railway
station being Murnaa, fifteen nailes dis,
tant, shut off from the turmoil aad un-
rest of this nineteenth century world,
inhabited by race of siraple-minded
peasants and rude wood caryers; yet it's
name has become a household word
throughout the world, the fame of its
peasants artists has extended to every
country where the drama IS loved and
honored.
Ia 1893 this district was ravaged by
pestilence-a result of the wars of
Gustavus Adolphus-the villagers fed
to the altars of the Holy Virgin, and
vowed that if she would stay the plague
they and their children would forever
celebrate their deliveranee by dramatic
represent alton of the Passion of Christ.
Strange that the sword of the great
Protestant champion should thus indi-
rectly have been the means of preserv-
ing for US this characteristic type of me-
diaval catholicism.
The full name Of the play, winch is
descriptive of the events sought to be
portrayed, is "The Great Expiatory
Sacrifice of GoIgotha, or the Narrative
of the Passion aud Death OF Jesus,
According to the -Four Evangelists,
with Tableaux Vivants Taken from the
Old Testament"
The "Passionspiel," in its present
revised and expurgated form is in great
measure the work of an aged clergyman.
who was for many years the beloved
parish priest of Ober-Ammergau, and
who is quite distinguished as writer
Of dramatic literature, most of his
works being founded upon, OF represen-
tations Of. scenes in Biblical history.
He may also still be called the director
or ''stage manager of the piece. and
is held in great reverence by his
flock or "cast.''
This year the first representation of
the play was given on Whitsun- Mon
day, which was also the favorite season
of yore for Chester and Coventry
'' Mysteries ;" Its beginning is an
nounced by the firing of cannon. and
its rendition occupies from eight O'Clock
in the morning until five in tho after
noon, with an interval at md-day of
one hour %far refreshments" Yet in
spite of its great length no one seems
to he tafigued, nor does the interest
flag, though many Of the audience stand
throughout the whole performance,
Tho Passion Play" is of kindred
nature to, and, as it we're, connecting
link with the Mystery" plays and
"Moralities" of tho fifteenth and six
teenth centuries, many of which have
been preserved In the Townley and
other series. and which no doubt form
ed part of the pageants' provided
cor the entertainment of Queen Eliza
beth by the Earl of Leicester. as de-
scrihed in kenilworth.
The first play was gwen in 1884, and
for century past it has been performed
every decade; as it is religious duty
Al OA q toWs uO CuduSC
of time or circumstance can relieve the
people of the obligation. In the ear
ly days, there was all the grossness So and
revolting realism which characterize the
ancient "Mysteries," but these have
been gradually pruned away, and the
drama in its present form, as we'll as
the music which accompanies it, dates
from the beginning of this century.
The devil has been hanlshed from the
stage, though he was so prominent a
character in tho OLD "Miracles"- and
here, for instance. was wont to dance
about Judas during his temptation, and
when the traitor hanged himself the
internal lmps would rush upon HIM,
and apparently tear him open and feed
upon his entrails.
Until 1890 the performance took
place In the church yard in the open
air, and then was erected the present
building. 1t is rough wooden theatre
without galleries or boxes. capable of
holding an audience of six or seven
thousand. and without roof except
over the hinder rows of seats and the
central stage. where are represented all
the tableaux and some of the dramatic