The Washington herald., 1907-11-17
The Passion PLAY.

A great pity il IS that there should be
an unseemly row among the simple peas
ant folk Of Oberammagau. Bavaria. over
the representation of the Passion Play"
II is said that the trouble has reached
such proportions that there Is strong
Likelihood Of the Passion Play" which
is due in 1910. being abandoned 1t has
been given every ten years for centuries.
The trouble has arisen over the selec-
ton of a peasant TO play the part of
the Christ in the Passion Play" and il
is said that politics is at the bottom Of
the dispute. a priest leads one party and
an actor, who has twice before appeared
In the role Of the Saviour, is at the head
OF the other, and so savage have the
riots over the dispute become that troops
had to be sent from Munich to main
tain order. The entire population of 1000
Including men, women. and children, is
divided into hostile camps, and for the
time being all preparations for the pro-
ducuon Of the play have ceased.
Practically every inhabitant Of Oberam-
magau takes part in the Passion PLAY"
and the money gained by the representa-
tons is used partly for charity and partly
as a common fund for the benefit Of the
villagers The parts in the play are as
signed 10 the various players by vote
and the selections are always made three
years or so in advance. so that long
study and rehearsals NAV make the
representations perfect When the bal
loting began for the play in 1910 Guido
Lang. who appeared as the Saviour in the
Passion Play OF 1890 and 1900. was
again candidate for the role, the highest
honor which the villagers can bestow.
Led by Father Daiser. the village priest.
strong opposition developed to I.ang's
candidacy on the ground that ne was unit
Tor the part One OF the grounds of his
unhtness alleged is that he recently stood
for election TO the Bavarian Duet on the
Progressist ticker Langs personal and
political friends rallied to his assistance.
but the clericals proved too strong and
Lang was defeated. Instead Of submit
ting. Lang and his friends tried to induce
the villagers TO reverse their Judgment.
The clericals accuse the progressives OF
unfair method and Of using inproper
influence, and of attempts to bring in
outsiders to swell their strength. IndI-
vidual clashes began and several free
fights followed. In the latest riot a num-
Der Of the villagers were badly hurt and
this forced the authorities to call for mill
tary assistance.
1t Is all very pitiful and painful sort
OF row and is distressing as showing
the evil influence Of modern methods in
this peaceful little village. Here for gen
erations this Passion Play has influenced
the lives of these villagers. They have
lived simply frugaliy, honestly. In their
home lives they have felt the influence
OF the Passion Play, and among the girls
there has always been fine rivalry OF
conduct to see who would be found the
most meet 70 play the part Of the VIRGIN
Mary In short these people tried hard
TO live the lives they sought 70 portray.
1t was perhaps the most striking instance
in the world OF the influence of the drama
on the social life OF a people That petty
! jealousies and strife should have entered
| into this peaceful village of the Bavarian
Alps is great pity, and It is much 10
be hoped that all these minor differences
may be adjusted so that nothing will in
terfere with the Passion Play of 1910.