The Irish standard., 1900-03-24

that they are not in the play. Those !
who played the younger parts now play
the older ones, leaving the places of the
younger ones open for the men and
women who have grown up since the
last presentation, or who, perhaps, were
then among the younger supernumer-
aries. For the chief hope that is al
ways in the mind OF the youth OF Ober-
ammergau is to be able some time to
play leading parts i'll the Passion
Play"
Joseph Mayr played the Christ for
the last time in 1890. He had taken
the part twice before, in 1870 and in
1880. 1t is scarcely necessary to say
that anyone who was old enough for
this part in 1870 must have been too old
for it in 1890, but Mayr played the part
SO exquisitely and any effort to replace
him adequately would be so hopeless
that it was given to him for the last
time, in spite of his age. And it was
the wiscst thing to do. Mayr still played
the part incomparably, and it was quite
forgotten by everybody who saw him
that he was possibly the least bit too
old. But this year the part would be
impossible for him and he will have the
honorable but less exciting one OF the
prologue 1t will be he who will sing
the stanzas which introduce the various
tableaux and scenes, an Office corrc-
spending pretty nearly to that Of the
leader of the Greek chorus.
The part Of Christ will be played by
Anton Lang, young man who has not
before played any important part. 1t
is said that he gives much promise, but
he will have to fulfill much promise il
he is to please those who have seen
Mayr, 1t is to be feared that he will.
have thanklcss task, even though he
should do extremely WE'LL for Mayr's
performance was one which left last
ing impression and an ideal not easily
to be realized by another.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, will he
played by Anna Flungcr, and here
again it will be matter for congratula-
ton if the performance equals that OF
ten years ago. 1t was done then by
Rosa Lang, a daughter OF the burgo-
master, with beauty and judgment and
perfect taste. 1t is the rule that this
part must be played by an unmarried
woman, and Fraulein Lang postponed
her own marriage ten years ago in
order that she might play it.
Caiaphas, the high priest, will be
played by Sebastian Lang, who was
Nathaniel in 1890. Caiaphas then was
played by Johann Lang, the burgomas
ter, who will still be the director OF
the play, as he was then. Sebastian
Baur, who was rabbi in 1890, will be
Pilatc. The Plate of ten years ago,
Thomas Rcndl, has been promoted to
the part OF Peter Peter was played
ten years ago by Jacob Hctt, who then
acted it for the fourth time and made it
| one Of the most interesting bits of the
play. John, the beloved disciple, will
be played by Peter Rcndl, who played
it in 1890, and is the only one thus far
reported among the principals who re-
tains his part Pictorially nothing bet
ttcr oouiii oouiidi be asked than Petcr Rc1ldif 5
John of 18oo He looks like the abso-
lutte model OF every John OF every pic
turc gallery i'll Europe But his acting
was only passablc. Still, it was thought
at that time that he would be the Christ
in 1900 and the choice Of another must
have been disappointment to him.
| The chorus leader will be Jacob Rutz,
as in 1890, and Ludwig Lang will be
stage manager, being charged also with
the selection OF costumes and the ar
rangcment of tablcaux. He held the
same post in 1880 and 1890. He is the
lcadmastcr OF the scho9l of drawing
and wood-carving at Oberammergau.
The dress rehearsal Of the play will
be on Sunday, May 20, and the regular
performances will be given on May "a
and 81, June 4, 10, 16, II, "a and 2o;
July 1, 8, IS, 22 and 20; Aug. S, 8, 12,
IS, 10, IS and 26, and Sept. 2, 8, 9, 16,
70 and 80. 1t will be noticed that these
dates, beginning with June 10,
include every Sunday Of the sum-
mcr and certain week days. If on any
Of these days more people apply for ad-
mission than the theatcr will hold an
other performance will be given the
next day. Ten years ago this same
plan was adopted, and it was found nee
cssary to give performance on nearly
every Monday of the summer as we'll
as on the Sundays and other days an
nounccd.
The theatcr has been rebuilt and the
whole of the space for the audience is
under cover. This will be cheerful in
formation for some who went to Ober-
amincrgau ten years ago and mean to
go again. Only about half the space
was then rooted.
For those who mean to go to Obcr-
ammcrgau it is the part of wisdom to
secure lodgings and seats in the theater
as early as possible A letter to the
Wohnungs Bureau, in the language of
any civilized country, will do this, if 50