The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-05-23
PASSION PLAY
is Witnessed BY Thousands AT
the First Performance.
scripps-McRae Press Assn

Scripps- McRae Press Assn
COberammergau, May 23.--The first
performance Of the passion play was
given today. Hundreds of persons ar
rived yesterday to witness the pro-
duction Among the English-speak-
ing visitors Americans predominated.
1t was very wet yesterday, and the
visitors who arrived yesterday found
it hard work to fill in the time. They
trudged along the muddy streets or
took refuge in the shops, where they
bought illustrated post cards, carv-
ings and photographs. The hills,
which practically surround the village
were veiled in mist, which occasion
ally lifted enough to show the SHOWS
capped mountains.
Contrary to expectations, the wealth
er today was bright and sunny. By
o'clock the new theatre, which holds
1000 people, was almost filed, the
few empty seats being the more ex>
pensive ones. The rest of the house
surrounding villages, who were easily
distingnishable by their short hair,
the residents of Oberammergau let
ting their hair grow quite long, with
the view TO taking part in the play.
Too much has been said of the lovely
natural scenery forming the back
ground of the stage. AS matter OF
fact, only a hilltop on the right hand
is visible, The stage is uncovered, but
in the center is a covered place, where
the tableaux and much of the action
are carried on. The chief interest for
previous visitors was Anton Lang's
performance of Christus. he replacing
Mayr. To the others the performance
was deeply interesting, and so en-
thralling that many were surprised
when noon arrived, at which time
there was an interval in the perform
ance until 1880.
The new Christus was remarkably
successful. acting with subdued force,
which was most impressive. The idea
that representation of Christ on the
stage is repellant would occur only to
one who had never been to Oberam-
mergau. If any one came here with
thot preconceived idea it died out im-
perceptibly once the play began.
The most dramatic part, that of Ju-
das, was played by Twink, who played
it in 1890. This year he has toned
down the extravagances. which then
almost caused laughter. His dcliver-
ance of several long soliloquies would
cause him TO rank high in any country
as an actor
The stage management of the
crowds. often numbering 500, was
marvellous. OF the 1,4OO population
of the village 6s5 were employed in
the production. fifty being women and
200 children, some apparently only two
or three years old, yet the strongest
glass showed no movement on their
part in many tableaux. The play is
real play, with the plot worked out
III consecutive oSISi VIZ S"NA~oN a
being only illustrations that
are introduced occasionally and
explained by chorus of thirty
five persons who line the stage in
front, withdrawing when the speaker
Of the prologue, Mayr, has recited
and when they have sung. Mayr':
powerful and distinct elocution made
it easy to understand his past success
full performances as Cnristus.
The scene Of the cruci6xion is the
climax of the play, but, while it was
was in no way repulsive, it was pain
full and failed to stir the feelings like
a scene little earlier in the play
when Mary meets the procession OF
tue way to Cavalry and recognizes hel
son as the cross bearer and cries, "El
ist mein sohn."
Whether the performance is devel
oping into a money-making scheme
for the benefit of the village rathel
than religion, would be difficult to de
eide. Many things about the village
point to the former, but if it is so i
certainly has been forced upon tn,
villagers from the outside and doe
not affect the performance which is
thing that everyone who can shoul'
see. The place is easy of access, an,
complete ignorance of German doe