New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-10
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
SACRED SCENES on NETWORK SIA'b.
The PASSION PLAY TO nv PRODUCED ~ B""i" :
IHEATRE-WHAT MIR. AHB Y SAYS AEOtI ~.

SACRED SCENES on A NETWORK STAGE.
The PASSION PLAY TO nv PRODUCED ~ b'"i"
THEArRE-wHAT MIR. ABBY SAYS AEott H.
The Passion Iay. o theatrical representation OF
the last DAYS Of Jesus Christ on earth. VIII I've ph
duced N Booths Theatre on December nnnrf t w
management of Henry T.. Abbey. us WV,
he the first production in New-iork OF ply
bearing tins subject and the H'C"''a
IN America. The first representation VIZ e,.'n '"
San Francisco. Cal, several months ago. ~ p"
duced profound inprc sion, and Was inc Gus , 100
weeks. and was then taken off the stage by i,S
author. Salmon p Morse. Thomas MaRnIIr, M
manager of the California Theatre produce" II
three months aflerward The controversy lhel w,
came bitter that the authorities fearing oit;icm
Of the peace. put step 10 tho performances. U.s.
is the same play which Is soon to be preSch'e" ]"
Ncw-YOrk. .
A TpIBCNE reporter called last night up n
Mr.. AbJoy. who SAID 1T bears TIE sa'i'r
relation, to an ordinary drama ~ az al n,i "c
toro does to an opcretta; he sI"Jt tna
handled 10 the everyday drama ana we
effects sought in 1t are entirely beneath ,loSc ., W.,
Passion Play. ! consider It The grandcsl i.''up
ever listened to- and shall try 10 present IL on Il
grand scale. never saw the Oher AminerPau rep
reservation and took taIs play Simply on lis heI.S
| am told that there Is more u 1laiosnu
IN it than contilued in the baNh'lai
drama, the latter being made up principaIy u
du NIB show. he BaVarian play presents me cruz k
hxIon uron the stage while this orc omts IT. Mt
Morsc's pay IS arranged III three preliminary taoc
leaus without dialogue, followed Dy I'VE "c'S VI
one scene each. Thc first act represents inc ucatn
If ST, John the Baptist, introducing lHe oHcihs -"
King HerOd of the head upon charg"F, ''nu - 'lY
most dramatic scene, the ordinary SCI Sc OF tna
word IN the play. The Last supper, the Na!uen VI
Gcthsemane and the arrangement before Ion',''s
Plate are leading scenes. lie maj one Is Tue ~
cenSion. | am convinced that tue play VIII III
every spectator with feelings oi awe anu
reverence and | intend tnat the repre-
sentation shall be carried Oh IN solemn ana pro
found manner. No applause Will be pernlltcu I'D
any mart Of the house. No return checks VIII be
given AT the Coor that there WI be no confusion
caused during tbs beginnings of the acts by those
vino have been ont t. Visit neighborug places "i
refreshmcnt There will he an abundance OF music
Of a sacred nature sung by large chorus. ABOUT
$50 people will he employed.
I would not undertake This II were rot sure
that am right. Being sure Of that, ! shall go
ahead. But no amount of money could tempt me
TO do ANYTHING that wond tend to bring rldicuie
npon sacred subjects. Money Is NOT All
1--we for and believe this play Will do rood. IL Is
claimed that tins representation should not pe
gwen 10y professional ACTOR. i cannot see any
reason 10 this. IL /, certainly probable that eAper-
enced actors will he l,SS likely to perform tnc'r
parts rldlcu ousy than amateurs however rrlic-
ions TIE latter NAV be- Moreover, the performers IN
IN play Will be selectcd with no little regard 10 'e
aspect they feel for the sacredness OF the SUBJECT
There is no doubt that snail meet
with some opposition the production OF this play
bnf believe IT will be witnessed every WIN
the greatest respect. ntcgd, therefore. Ia present
II ali tnrougiI nc United States and Caraia.'
Ii has been reported mat James . NellI Wh" rep
rcsen cl Jesas christ III san Francisco, had beeh en-
gagged for Ncw-lork. lhis statement Was preiha-
ture.