The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-09
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
STORY OF ME PASSION Play.


THE Passion Play of Oberammergau'
is the only one of the so-called miracle or
mystery plas that is stil drought before
the public. As early as the fourth CEN
fury similar plays were written in Latin
and Greek, but the first performance OF
which we have record took place in Eng
land about the first of the twelfth century.
From that time until the first of the last
century similar productions were given in
France, Germany, Spain and Italy, the
only one now extant being French pay
known as The Mystery of the Wise and
Foolish Virgins" In the early part of the
seventeenth century these plays began to
partake of the burlesque. which brought
them itno disrepute, but it was in Catho-
lie South of Germany, where they had
preserved most Of their old religious char
acter. that the severest blow was leveled
against them.
1t must be admitted that one who I'M
dertakes to bring across the Atlantic some
adequate reflection of these marvellous
scenes, and to present them to audiences
here with something of the same impress
siveness that has marked their progress
in the native scenes of tn ewor 1erful
drama, undertakes an interesting and sig
nificant task
OF the few lecturers who may fittincly
be considered as having properly under
taken TO do this thing, the Rev. ]. ].
Lewis must be ranked as the most sue
cessful. Since 1890 Mr.. Lewis has pre-
scented, by voice and picture over 1,500
times the scenes witnessed at Oberammer-
gau, entering into the spirit of the original
presentation with whose purposes he thor
ough.y familiarized himself on the spot
and into whose sentiment he entered with
the utmost enthusiasm. Mr. Lewis en-
beavers to create In those whom he adj
dresses the same feelings created in those
who witness the original presentation OF
make the Passion Play what it is at
Ooerammergau, an object LESSON of an
piled Christianity, has been the purpose.
the devout purpose of Mr.. Lewis career
as the exponent of the passion Play on
this side of the Atlantic. AS the result
of his extraordinary success not only in
Selling the salient elements of his original
production, but in presenting these ele-
mentS in such manner as to seize and hold
a popular appreciation and understanding.
Mr.. Lewis has very reasonably been called
1.-The apostle of the Passion Play in
America" Other lecturers have presented
artistic and dgnifed reflections of the
drama, but he has become essentially it's
popular exponent. His lecture on this
theme, with it's beautiful stereopticon pic
lures of the stage. the people, and the
scenery of Oberammergau, has been given
more frequently in Nv England than any
other lecture by any other person. The
mere announcement that Mr.. Lewis will
talk on the passion Play" is still suf-
ficient to crowd the alrgest audience halls
to the doors. Although he still finds in
New England an eager audience whenever
he is willing to cali it, Mr.. Lewis has very
reasonably responded to calls from other
parts of the Union. His recent lectures
in New York and Brooklyn and other
leading cities were immensely successful.
and the same story is repeated elsewhere
The immediate success of his Passion
Play lecture and the field opened up by
the special character of that religious pre-
sentation induced him to do that which he
has been doing with such brilliant results.
and to give to the world the message
OF the marvellous trained peasants of
Oberammer2au.
This beautiful and interesting story will
be handsomely illustrated and delivered
by Mr.. Lewis Friday evening, April H.
Saturday matinee, 10, and Sunday evening,
16 at the Auditorium