Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-13
THE DRAMA OF THE PASSION.
Mr.. James O'NeIPs Experience
Wtth the Play in San
Francisco.


III NAuN AlAAA 0hAuAAus
When the manuscript was first
handed me, and | saw that | was cast
for Jesus Christ. l was, as you may
imagine. simply dumb 'ounded. My
first impression was to hurl it from
me, 60 to my manager and ask a release
from my management. or that some
one else be substituted for the pert;
but, prompted by curiosity, l turned
the leaves slowly, first backward, and
then forward, until lighting upon the
title page, | read, The Passion Play,
by Sslmi Morse; revised, corrected
and approved by Bishop AlamaDa,
Bishop Of San Francisco 'Whalp'
said |, If so devout a man as my
Bishop fnds no Offense in it, why
should | scruple at assisting in its
representation Still, however, l
hesitated. Then the press began to
cry it down and all connected with it.
The clergy denounced it. Morse was
abused. Open threats we're made
against me, and managers, actors and
author were reminded that
If we persisted in the
undertaking, the law, as the
cry now is in New York, would en-
force an outward show of decency,
and prevent its production. From
that moment | was determined.
However, MI. Mcguire weakened, and
advised me, with others, to desist, but
the affair had by that time grown
serious, and | could not, unless
chose to be branded both as a physica
and moral coward, withdraw from the
undertaking. Let the dome of the
thester fall down aud crush me, said
l., or let me be stricken dumb by tn,
Lord, as some one had prophesied,
see no otfense in it, nor does my bishop
my religious superior and instructor
and putting aside my wife, who, thor
oughly frightened, chung to me, weep
ing, | went to the theater and played
my part without immediate hindranc,
from either angels or mortals
And the effect?"
"The effect1 Grand in the extreme
There was a futter of expectation il
the audience preceding the rise 0
the curtain, while an ominous still
ness pervsded all behind the scenes
The actors scarcely spoke to on,
another, and when they did, j
was only in whispers. Seen
Shutters and carpenters tiptoe,
about and the very breathing OF tn
leading characters could be heard a
they arranged themselves for the scene
| stood apart with auburn wig an,
flowing beard, a purple robe throw
about me as Raphael has painted on
Lord, aud minutes seemed hours a
they dragged slowly by before tbs
mellow light stole in upon the stag
announcing to us the rising of tn
curtain. You should have e Q tina
audience then. They gazed in silence
rooted, as it we're to their seats. Slowl
the play proceeded, but not a whispe
came from the vast throug seatel
before us; indeed, the stiffness fnall
became painful, and the utterances Q
the actors rang out with a peculia
sound as it appeared never had hear
before. 1t evidently was not what th
people mad expected. 1t was anythin
but a farce, aud when the angel cho
rous came A)ating through the all
mysteriously pouring down their swee
strains from tae hidden recesses of tn
stage, many involuntarily fell on thei
knees and bowed their heads in prayer
Therefore, | say again, if Mr.. Salm
Morse is not hindered he will give t
the people of New York the grandec
spectacles the world has ever SEEN"