Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-30
Things You Want to Know Passion ,1 %'S

percentage OF those who witnessed the
plays were American tourists who were ac-
customod TO applauding all stage perform
ances Of merit But in the vast ampi-
theater at oberammergau there was no ap-
pause, even after the most tragic and NOV
ing scenes. The whole people seemed TO be
imbued with the reality OF the drama and
the sincerity OF those who watched was the
best answer to the oft-repested question:
Ara the Oberammergau players sineereG"
The great scene of the play is. OF course,
the crucifxion. The player who imperson-
ates the Christ is suspended from the
cross for from fifteen 20 twenty minutes.
No thongs are visible. The body seems
held on the cross by the nails which are
painted on the hands and feet The figure
is clad in flesh colored tights. with white
cloth about the loins. as seen In all paint
ings OF the crucifixion. The great shock
Of the scene comes when the Roman soldiers
climb up TO the crosses OF the thieves and
strike their limbs with stuffed clubs. The
bodies crumple. AS the soldiers approach
the central cross a messenger arrives from
! the PLATE announcing that the bones OF
/ the Nazarene are not 60 be broken Where
upon a soldier SEXES spear and moves
/ toward the suspended figure. The average
/ spectator continues to look, because he
| feels that there VIII be only the semblance
| of a stroke. what is his horror when he
sees the spear thrust into the side OF the
central figure There is sudden fright
! full squirt of blood and a gasp OF suffering
l from the thousands Of spectators. The scene
is terrifyinEly realistic. The illusion is
/ carried out by having concealed under the
tights a small bag Of red fluid Just over
! the heart. When this is punctured there
is the gush OF blood" which makes one
feel that q human life is actually being
taken.
Another impressive scene IL the one in
which the Nazarene Is prosecuted by the
soldiers Seated on a small stool and clad
in a robe OF royal red, the Man is scoffed
at, spit upon and slapped by his tormentors
Then there is brought forth the crown OF
thorns 1t is placed upon his head and four
soldiers seize two long bars. They cross
these over his head and one at each end
| they press the thorns down upon his brow
A shudder OF pain passes over the face
of the tormented one. as he turns his
head TO the right, and then the figure
willis slightly under the stress OF physi-
cal suffering
Anton Lang, who played the part of the
! Christus this year and also in 1900, is q
; quiet unassuming Individual who seems
! to be embarrassed by the curiosity which
! the visitors manifest toward him An in
; cident which occurred one August after
= noon, will serve to show his objection TO the
j '1melight. A party OF two or three was
q in his shop buying postcards and pottery,
which ne makes at his own wheel As he
l stood behind his counter showing his wares
= group OF four or five spectators
r gathered at the window and began to stare
d at the man who, on the following day, waa
i to impersonate the Savior. He seemed to
d be more or less troubled for a few mo-
/ ments and then quietly asked one Of his
customers IL he would object to drawing
e down the shades II do not like for people
e to stare"
Lang in his home is a kindly, cordial
e host and greets the visitors with a warm
u handshake. He speaks excellent English
II with scarcely an accent. During the las,
II five months the central figure OF the town
e has been greatly oppressed, however. BY
/ the numerous visitors vino have called with
l. the sole purpose of shaking hands so they
n could tell the folks at home"
n Some criticism was voiced this veal
e against the acting of the beautiful young
e Ottllie Twink, daughter Of Johann Twink
who plays Judas. Fraulein Twink was thu
" Virgin Mary, and it was urged in many
= quarters that an older woman and one WHIT
e had q wider experience in life would hav,
lie realized the acting value OF the part NOR,
lully. but the average spectdtoE ldAeu u
L take into consideration one OF the tenets o
E. the Oberammergau Passion play committee
l. that no married woman shall ever take tn
l. part OF either of the Marys.
le No wigs are permitted TO be worn by tn
r Passion players and no makeup is allowed
81 Those who hope to take part In the perfor
? nance allow their hair to 20 unshorn 70
he three years prior to the first presentation
Is Next week the village barber of oberam
ID mergau will have his hands full. and ever,
Is mother will take up her scissors with relic
Is and trim away the locks OF hair which hav
IN been such care TO her and 10 her childre
lie who have taken part in the tableaux an
3 in the mob scenes OF the Passion play o
1910.
Is BY FREDEBIC J. HAsxTH.
ye Tomorrow-Baptist World Alliance.