La Junta tribune., 1910-09-24

kx umeS per mOutn tue pieSs, Sh'S'
ly through the magazines. has been
attracting the attention of the world
to the quaint village and the sacred
play And indeed they are worthy OF
such attention. Nothing so interest
ing, SO unique. has place in the dra-
matte world today, and though his
torians differ in regard to the origin
and class Of the play. there seems to
be agreement as to the fine influence
the study and presentation OF the
drama has upon the lives OF the VII
layers. One writer declares that
crime is unknown In the little VII
laFe
aNl have but two occupations-farm'
ing and wood odcarving-unless. indeed,
the preparation for and the presen-
tation OF this beautiful play may be
considered an occupation.
The village OF Oberammergau lies
about 276 feet above sea level in
Bavaria. 1t is situated some forty
five miles southwest OF Munich. and
in 1850 its inhabitants numbered about
l.3i9. We have already spoken of
the peoples profession of wood cary
ing and II is Interesting to remem'
ber tha' they carve toys, cruciflxes.
images OF saints and rosaries. Many
OF the houses" says one writer. ARE
adorned with quaint freseoes Of Bib
lical subjects" From these facts II
will be seen that the people are con
stantly contemplating the story OF
Christ
For my part | like TO believe that
the Passion Play is survival OF
what literature calls the medieval
miracle play, or mystery. but II Is
declared by some writers who have
had opportunity for thorough investi-
cation that 1t is not. but took its
rise from a vow made by the inhab-
itants in 1888, with the hope OF stay
ing a plague" AT the beginning Of
the present century the play obtain
ed exemption from the general sup
preston OF like performances by the
Bavarian government. II seems that
the music that accompanies the per
z finance was composed as far back
- 1914 by the village schooimaster
which may account for the custom
which obtains even now of putting
the musical program In the charge OF
the schoolmaster. Writers declare
that the actors present the play In
such manner that one is impressed
with the fact that TO them II is a
solemn act OF religious worship and
that fine moral character as well as
dramatic ability are necessary quail
fications II one Is TO be found vor-
thy OF a part in the Passion Play.
Taking the part OF the Christ is
considered the greatest OF earthly
honors. and those who are chosen for
the part accept II with reverence and
relinQuish II with unspeaka lie grief.
Indeed II is believed that Joseph May
died OF broken heart In 1908 over
the loss OF the roll OF Christus. There
are l22 persons who take speaking
parts and go who act but do not
speak, and considering that all this
huge company must be properly cos
tuned We are reminded that this part
OF the preparation is OF some impor-
tAnce. We are told that Ludwig
Lang. general director. designed all
the costumes for this year. that the
material alone cost $4,000. that
Langs sister. Josepha. u maiden lady
.af II. assisted by the young maid
kss OF the village. made the cos
mes. and that the material was
purchased In Paris. Berlin. Munich.
aud even In Jerusalem and Damascus.
Up To January last the play com
mittec-which In made up Of six
persons elected by vote OF the VII.
layers. the parish priest and the
town council-had spent $4,000 In
preparation for the play.
The s,upcndous scale OF preparation
IL not startling when We consider
that ??0. 900 strangers entered the
interesting village In 1850. during ths
four months Of the performance. and
that the number In 1880. 1900 and
1910 WAS probably greatly increased.
The principle feminine parts are
the Madonna and the Magdelene: the
principal masculine parts are Christ.
Peter. John. Judas. Caiaphas. Annss.
Pilate and Hcrod. Witnesses Of the
play declare that Anton Lang. who
was the Christ In 1900 aud again III
1910. bears strong resemblance to
H.. f,hsisl ha ls c1ncaIXed In