The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-08-26
THE PASSION PLAY.
An Interesting Description BY Port
land Soy.

To the Editor OF the Press:
FRANKFORT, Aug. 8, 1890.
The extraordinary interest which this de-
cennial dramatic performance has excited
throughout the civilized world induced us to
leave the beaten path marked out for us by
Mr. Frank A. Elwell, of Portland, at Baden
Baden, and journey over two hundred miles
to see 1t. AS you are aware doubtless, we
are doing Europe on the wheel. but owing
to lack of time we were compelled to forego
the pleasure Of wheeling to Ober-Ammergau
and on Thursday morning last, IA Of us took
the Schuel-zug. the express train, for
Munich, where we arrived quite late in the
afternoon and spent the night. We had pre-
viously been informed Of the crowded con-
dition OF the village, so taking time by the
forelock, we telegraphed the Burgomaster,
Tor accommodation and seats. Our answer
was that In order to guarantee us anything,
we must arrive on Friday, so we left Munich
on the first train on Friday morning and
about noon arrived at Oberan, the railroad
station nearest the village, from whence
some Of us staged the ten miles across the
mountains, but the majority walked over
and arrived at the village some time before
the stages.
Ober Ammergau is a beautiful little village
In the Bavarian Highlands, and looked at
from above as we saw'it. it forms an ideal
picture Of an ideal village. The clean white
walls of the houses. with their green window
shutters, are irregularly grouped around the
church. which with its mosque-like minaret
forms the living centre of the place. High
10 ola ha
silver cross ON the lofty crag, the Kofel
which guards the entrance to the valley. 1t
is homely, simple village, unspoiled by the
flood from the outre world which submerges
1t once In ten years.
Approaching nearer the town, passing the
wayside shrines that have been erected to
mark the spots where accidents have befallen
the careless or unfortunate traveller, touch
ing mementos of tragic incidents in the une-
ventful annals of the valley, and arriving al
the village proper, we are at once struck by
the paintings and frescos which cover the
cottages, or at least numbers OF them, partt
cularly the Burgomaster's, which has scarce
| ly white spot on it. On iDqairing | wa:
| told that in 1760 Franz Twink, the peasant
| painter, who had acted as eolor-mixer to the
renowned Martin Knoller. on returning Il
| his native village. had covered the cottage
| walls of Ober Ammergau with paintings Of
| such talent and vigor. that they have been
preserved, and to this day. despite exposure
| to weather, are still fresh and brilliant II
| has been said with regard to Zwink's work
that It y as though bs waVe Sad
broken into this lonely mountain valley and
| left lasting memorial there.
Arriving in the village, we at once pro-
ceeded to the house OF the Burgomaster who
has entire charge OF all matters pertaining to
the play proper, as well as to the accommo-
datiOn Of visitors. was particularly struck
at the systematic way in which everything
was DONE The room was crowded, but on
our announcing Mr.. Harry Higgins name,
as he had attended to the business part Of
trip, we were Immediately given our number,
and guide escorted us to our lodging house
the majority Of the boys were lodged at the
house OF Adam on the main street, and were
waited on by the Angel Gabriel. Mr.. Hig.
gins and myself not being so fortunate were
lodged In stable or at least in a room adj
| joirning one, and were compelled to pass
through 1t to get to our room. Our attendant
was not so prominent in the cast he was
chorus singer. In this little village Of 120C
people, they accommodate 5000 or 60O0 three
times every week during the summer and 0i
course every foot OF space las to be utilized
After getting little settled, we started
| out to see the sights Of the village, and were
| particularly struck with the numbers OF the
| men whose hair was grown long and hung
| on their shoulders Inquiry proved that
| they were in the play, and had allowed their
| hair to grow for that purpose. The effect OF
| these men in their quaint mountain dress,
| with streaming hair was picturesque in the
| extreme.
| Alter supper | started out In company
| with one or two of the boys, and visited the
| house of the Burgomaster, Mr.. Johann lIans,
| who so wonderfully portrays Caiphas, the
| High Priest, and on whose shoulders tnS
| burden of the work of the play rests.
| found him seated in his office, after the IA
bors Of the day quietly drinking mug sa oa
beer. On my telling him that we VIII ,i,'
/ Americans he received us very c0rdlall3'
| gave me a coed deal Of Information resa1Lut
| ing the play and its history, recommenuin,u.,
/ what books to purchase and was geneIaHIS
i agreeable and kind to us, During our WISH,
| his daughter Rosa, who plays the Nnstn 5ha
/ Mary came into the room, and we hau tne
| honor of an introduction. She has sweet
pretty face, one that you can see IN an ins
/ Slant Is capable Of expressing the ieenhBs on
| the mother, when the son is In trouble one
was extremely pleasant, and very kindly
| gave us her autograph on picture OIL her
self in character, and you may be sure IL Is
| highly priced as a memento OF the trip.
| feel:sure in all the village the part could not
| have fallen In better hands.