The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-22
THE OBERAMMERaAu PLAY.



Devotion Of the village InAabitants
10 Their show.
0BERAMMERGAU. May z5.-rhe good
people Of Oberammergau hesItated some
what this Jear whether or not to give the
passion play, as they feared the Paris
Exposition would draw away tho thous-
auds who usually come to the village.
Such worldly considerations. however. were
soon overcome. for had not their pious
fcrefathers vowed to give every ten years
a representation Of the passion Of the
Christ, for the grateful reverence and
eoifyfng contemplation Of the public?" 1t
wouid have been sore disappointment to
the villagers had the play been postponed.
Tor their whole life and attention are con-
centrafed on the one idea-to take part
in the passion drama.
In the ten years Intervening between the
presentation Of the play much care is
given to the drilling of the players. The
costumes and requisites needed also re-
ceive careful attention, for all Of these
are made in the village. Only natives of
Ober ammergau are allowed to take rart,
with the exception Of one character.
namely. the donkey who brings Christ TO
Jerusalem.
1t Is told by the oberammergauers that
the dealer who furnished the animal this
year wired from the city of TRENT to the
committe: The donkey is on the rail-
road. will arrive tomorrow
Political questions receive but little at
tention in Oberammergau. but everything
having the least connection with the p AZ
is followed with the liveIiest interest. The
climax is reached when the time arrives
to select the leading players. This year
the villagers discussed the problem, Shall
Mayr again take the Christ role?" He ve-y
frankly said himself that II was i.1pos-
sible.
My hair is grey. my beard is white, my
face has wrinkles" AS the Oberammes-
gauers endeavor to avoid theatrical dis
play without coloring hair and beard his
impersonation Of Christ was out of the
question. He has now fe,l opportunity.
however, as speaker of the prologue, to
display his talent.
The changes made in the cast of the
players have been a bitter disappointment
to Burgomaster Lang, who has taken the
part Of Caiphas since 1860. 1t was also
said that his daughter Rosa, who SO ad-
mirably impersonated Mary in 1890, was
driven into a convent by her rejection
Some of the villagers, however. tell me
that the real reason for her leaving Ober-
ammergau was a disappointment expe-
rienced in love affair Burgomaster Lang
can be well satisfied with his work In he
play. His management Of the stage. espe
cially OF the tabieaux, would reflect credit
on professional stage manager. The
poses and groupings in some OF the tab
leaux are wonderful.
A number Of the players not mentioned
before deserve some attention Sebastian
Lang the Caiphas is a man of command
ing presence. and makes a majestic ap-
pearance in his brilliant robes of the high
priest. Annas, the other high priest, i'm
personated by Martin, is also good Ma
thiida Ruiz, who sings solo. the "Lamen-
tation Of the Bride has a promising voice
which she expects to give additional train
ing in conservatory at Munich at the end
OF the Oberammergau season.
AS a whole the text and music Of the play
are som awhat prosaic. A number of famous
musicians and writer's. for example Rich
ard Wagner and Wilhelmine Won Hillern,
have in the past offered their services for
rewriting text and music, but the offers
were declined by the Obsrammergau peo-
pie. In fact, they resent any interference.
The impressions and various opinions ex-
pressed by those WHO have witnessed The
play are anu ~ tAc
performance ten years ago l met good
natured Saxon woman. who said TO me af-
ter the crucifxion scene: How deserving
is the retribution heaped upon the Jews
for this cruel murder"
A good story is told by Herr Feldigh. the
leader Of the orchestra. A very pious lady
came to Oberammergau and asked: Where
can stay"
Go to Burgomaster Lang"
mo. he plays poorly was the reply.
Well. go to Diemer; he is excellent
what part does he take?"
.Herod.'
Il will not live in his house. He is an
enemy Of Christ"
We'll. go to the house Of Mayr, the i'm
personator Of the Savious."
How could presume to go to him.
by the way. the apostles are good and
pious people, you will be well taken care
Of" was the next suggestion. The woman
walked through the village and everywhere
put the question. do the apostles live
here?'' She found all rooms rented. until
finally at a late hour one offered quarters.
The next day she attended the play and in
the evening returned home deeply i'm
pressed She said to her host:
How glad am that you are one g the
apostles
The alleged apostle smlied. nshteu d
cigar AID replied: Il am Judas" Table au.
The secord performance gwen on Thurs
day did not differ essentially from the PEE
vious one As on Sunday. the weather was
Indictment. The audience was deeply i'm
pressed and warmly app.auded at the end
Of the performance. thing unhea-d OF at
former plays Lang showed great impro E.
ment In his acting.
The largest part OF the audience was
composed of Americans and English people
The people of Germany ms a Whole stow
but little interest In the passion play. aud
comparatively few attend the periormln es.
They claim that many OF the traus-Atlintic
and English visitors come merely OFT of an
idle curiosity. Whether this charge is trle
or not need not be discussed here. At al
events. the acting Of these simple h:gn-
landers in the past and present has bsen
witnessed by ErgIish-speaking people with
the deepest interest.-Chicago News.
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