New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-22
NOTES OF THE STAGE.
"Kreuzesschule," the German Miracle Play,
Rewritten for 0berammergau this Summer.

! copy OF the new version Of the "KreuZes-
schule' in excellent English translation, has
peen received from Hugo Lang, who represents the
oberammergau performances in England. The
FaSsion play. of course, cannot be repeated I'll
1870 SO The School OF the Cross has been chosen
Ior presentation this summer at the little bavarlan
to"h 1t was last performed there in 1870 "hen
hlnS Ludwig II gave to the village the monument
representing the Crucifxion The play has, for the
present performance, been rewritten by Joseph
Eecher. royal court chaplain Of Munich as IL
was formerly rewritten, in 1926 by Father Weiss,
anu again in 1915. In its present shape the play
contains little nothing Of its ancient quaintness
VI aIIegory. 1t is in high and steady blank verse
| mat seems in translation Enthusiastically modern,
though full Of Biblical idom. and aims always TO
give the largest possible scope to pictorial display
ana dramatic movement, while preserving the I'M
deriving purpose OF the play which is to set forth
me life OF David as prophecy OF the Christ.
Inc play IS now divided into seven acts, showing
! me amounting of David his combat with Goliath
"hch IS represented in full view of the audience
ms persecution by Saul, his lament for Saul and
enFy into Jerusalem Absalom's conspiracy, Davids
HsHt' and finally his victorious return to Jeru-
saIeih As the curtain descends on each act the
Cior leader comes forth and tells, sometimes with
''cHesuol accompaniment. the relation between
WHAT mas been represented and incidents in the
ne OF Christ Then the curtain rises showing a
living picture of the accompanying in the life
OF the Saviour. while the choir sings a hymn. al
! ways of three stanzas and in the simple form of
lne early Protestant hymns. For instance. after
! 'ne nrst act the Amounting of David, the living
laoeau shows the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
! 4hls IS the accompanying hymn:
Christ who redemption bought.
| At Thy footstool bow down
Sanct!fy thought
10 Thy glory and rehown
Promise of Thy help cherish,
@, urn 10 us Thy tender glance,
Shed upon us-else PERISH
. Light from Gods own countenance
May Thy Spirit DER bending
70 int the Gods white throne
! IlII IN rapture never
we be numbered with Thine
Inc music for these hymns which are all alike
! SiiIpIe and unsectarian and for Davids songs and
| the orchestra. has been composed by Professor
NIihem Muller, and calls not only for choral sing
! lhg' but for tenor bass and soprano solosts As
many as five hundred of the inhabitants of Oberam-
Hlergtu viii take part in play which thew have
ueeH fehearsing since last November. The first OF
| month. ~ " "a 4'eA'
! the second act Of Sergeant Brue" tonight II is
called "On the Rialto." Just why female mem
| Der Of the English nobility which Is what Miss
KING is in the play, should know anything about
the Riaito-that is. the real Riato which IS BROAD
way between the two fatirons-remains for the
song 10 disclose. ' Liz
LaWrance d Orsay's last appearance in Augustus
! Ihomas' comedy The Earl Of Pawtucket'' was
! made at His MaJestys Theatre. Montreal on Sat.
| urday night Out of the ia weeks that have
| eiapsed since the plays first night it has beer
PldySu IUS' or nearly 800 times. In the comedy
son Mr. DOrsays character will be that az tht
| secretary or the British Embassy at Washington