The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-04-07
descriptive Artitles.
Passion Play at Last Represented.

Material for Spectacular Drama, .' D..
From Ne,c York Sun, March 81:
The Passion Play was produced in Morse s
Hall, in West Twenty-third street, last
night, without interference by the police.
Mr. Salmi Morse had issued 200 invita-
tions for the representation, describing it
as a private entertainment and "a religious
representation of the passion of our Lord. u
About 0ne-third of the well-dressed as
sembly within were woman. Lawyers, po-
liticians, and theatrical people were among
the men. Programmes, printed with black
borders and giving the titles of the six acts
of the play, were distributed by ushers
when the doors first opened. H.m
The throng studied for while with Gu
riosity the seven-branched golden candle
sticks that held the gas jets. Then Musical
Director Lister took his place on dais in
front of the stage At s o'clock exactly
he waved his pearl inlaid baton, and thirty
musicians in an alcove under the stage be-
can the sombre music of the overture.
At S:12, while the orchestra played soft
music, the crimson drop curtain rolled slow
" up on the first scene, ''The Presenta-
tion in the Temple" 1t was a tableau set
in gorgeous colors, and occupied the entire
stage. 1t represented the Jewish mothers
presenting their babes in the Temple for
blessing forty days after birth. The porch
of the Temple was shown. At the foot OF
the steps, however, was golden ark, with
cherubim kneeling Oh it, and the scrolls OF
the law within. a huge altar, on which
incense was burning, stood beside it. AT
the right was the brazen sea, a cauldron
supported on the backs of golden lions.
In the background rose the cloisters of the
Temple. Before the Temple and on either
side the ark were assembled the Priests,
the Levites, and populace of eighty men
and women The women wore flowing
costumes, in which bright colOrs were bril-
liantly intermingled. Each held In her
arms a babe. The babes were made OF
plaster of Paris and asbestos. The wemen
were grouped on the right of the stage.
On the left were the Levites dressed in
long robes of white, bound at the waist
with brown girdles, and wearing tall conf
cal white hats. In the midst of the throng,
with folded arms, stood the High Priest.
He was clad in a gown of purple embroid-
cred with gold. A white turban richly
embroidered covered his long gray locks.
The whole assembly joined in a chant to
solemn music, and the High Priest read
the law from the scrolls. Then the popu-
lace separated, and the Virgin Mary made
her way before the High Priest with the
infant Jesus in her arms. The Virgin was
impersonated by young girl with shape
ly figure and brilliant black eyes. A wig
of flowing auburn hair fell over her shoul-
ders and concealed her natural raven hair.
She was clad in a gown of blue cloth. A
blue cloak was over her head.
While the Priest blessed the child, Anah,
the WITCH suddenly dashed in. Her long,
gray hair fell in dish -velled mass over her
robe of yellow cloth, and she leaned upon
a tall staff. In loud tones she foretold the
massacre of the innocents, and disappeared
The audience burst into applause as she
finished the words of her warning, and
watched with keen interest the striking
picture of the retiring of the throng as a
messenger from King Herod was announc-
ed
When the Priest and the attendant were
alone the messenger entered. He wore a
gorgeous robe of purple velvet, embroider-
ed with gold. Gold ornaments glittered on
his embroidered hat. He demanded in the
name of the King to see the infant son Of
the Virgin. In obedience the High Priest
raised his hand as a signal, and the people
returned. The messenger stealthily ap-
preached the Virgin and suddenly drew a
FURNISHED dagger. His arm was palsied,
the weapon dropped, and the messenger in
a loud voice proclaimed the Divinity Of the
child and called Him King The multi
tude Joined in the chanting of the Hallelu-
jah chorus.
The orchestra played more solemn mu-
sic, and then the curtain was rung up on
the second scene-'The Massacre of the
Innocents." The scene represents seclu-
ded path in the mountains. Joseph, clad
in slate-colored robe, and wearing long
curly black hair and black beard, led the
Virgin, who carried her child, down to a
seat beneath branching sycamore tree,
and bade her rest awhile in her flight All
the lights were turned down, the scream
inc of women mingled with the rumble Of
thunder and the fash of the lightning,
Suddenly mothers, carrying their babes
rushed in, pursued by the soldiers of Herod.
The soldiers were clad in polished armor,
and brandished swords and struck at the
children. The curtain dropped on the
tableau, but was drawn up again moment
in response to applause from gallery and
parquet.
Twenty minutes elapsed before the cur
tain rose on the third act, which Mr.. Morse
thinks the finest in the play. 1t is called
''The Death of John the Baptist" 1t re-
presented the interior of the palace OF
Herod when Salome dances before the
King. On the left stood the throne with
lion robe spread on its steps and two chairs
of state, inlaid with sparkling gems, resting
beneath an embroidered canopy. The
Queen wore handsome robe of purple
velvet and white satin with long train
The front glittered with jewels and golc
embroidery. Genuine jewels sparkled a
her throat, and fringe of gold coins swung
from her gorgeous headdress. Herod wore
suit of green and white satin, with COLDER
ornaments, and crimson robe that fel
from his shoulders to the floor. Salome'
dancing costume was an embroidered white
satin robe, falling a little below the knee
Jewelled sandals encased her feet. Medes
Persians, Assyrians, Egyptians, and NJ
bians, in dresses of gorgeous hues, wer'
clustered near the throne, and musican
came in carrying golden harps and Tyres o
curious shape. They sat upon the steps o
the grand corridor leading to Salome'
apartments. She came out, followed b,
eight other dancers in silken dresses, il
which colors were contrasted prettily
Each carried cymbals in her hands, ant
they bowed before the King in ranks o
four, led by Salome. Theorchestra playec
peculiarly soft and sweet music, which
Mr.. Morse says, is Assyrian, and the dan