The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-11


Passion Play at Oberammergau this sum
mer will be interested to learn that to-
day the final dress rehearsal of the play
will take place apd the little mountain
village will be ready to receive the thou
sands of patrons who will gather there
from all parts of the world. The play
will be repeated 80 times during the sum
mer beginning with the first performance
next Monday, May 1s 1t is anticipated
that about 100000 guests will visit the
little village. flockips there from all
quarters of the globe,
1t Is a remarkable tms that a relig-
ious play, performed by IN simplest of
peasants, should decide the programme
of travel for the whole world every de-
the fear expressed that the practice of
presenting 1t may be discontinued after
this year. but this seems hardly pos
sible to one who knows the origin of
the play. There is an interesting docu-
ment, according to Birmingham woman
was sent over a hundred years ago to
the state authorities by the people of
Oberammergau and is preserved now in
the library of Munich. This gives the
story of the origin of the play. pesti-
lential disease, so runs the story. infected
Bavaria as well as Swabia in the year
1881.
In 1851 this plague broke out in the
immediate vicinity of Oberammergau and
ragged with terrible fury. Only the noun
tain girt village of Oberammergau was
spared. Strict guard was kept at all pos
slble entrances to prevent any person
suspected to be infected from entering the
village.
But the night before the feast of con-
secration of the church native of the
place employed as farm hand at a nearby
settlement managed to elude the guard.
Yielding to the desire to be with his
wife and children, with the disease al
ready upon him, he brought it among
his own people. His family were the
first victims. So rapidly did the disease
spread that there was hardly a home
where one at least was not dead In
some cases whole families succumbed.
Then the people VINO had escaped the
plague came to their priest and begged
him to stand between their dead and
their living. TO the church they fol-
lowed the venerable old man, and there
they made their supplication and vowed
solemn vow that II God would hear
their prayer they would revive the old
practice OF giving the story of Christ's
last days on earth-of his betrayal. his
death upon the cross, his resurrection,
and his ascension--to be performed by
living men, women and children Accord
ing to the village chronicle the plague
was stayed, the people fulfilled the vow,
and the following year saw the per-
Torrance of a drama that in more re-
cent years has set the world marveling.
The cast this year for the play in
cludes many who have taken part in
the past performances, though some as
perform the part of Christ He also as
sumed the role in 1900. Lang is pot
tel by trade said to be diligent, quiet
man educated far beyond his calling.
His wife, a daughter of jacob Ruiz, fox
many years leader of the passion chorus,
in the Passion Play of 1900 sang the
Song of the Mourning Bride Otillie
Twink, who this year will assume that
eyeat part. 1.-The Mother of God" is the
daughter of the impersonator of Judas
which is a queer coincidence. The Mag
dalen is to be played by Marie Mayr,
and Martha will be represented by We
ronika Bauer. There will be other women
In the play but these are the three who
have the speaking parts" There are
number of men performers. The bur-
gomaster of Oberammergau, Sebastian
Rauer, plays for the third time the part
OF PLATE. Old Thomas Bendl presents a
touching example of one who has had to
exchange his part-that of Peter-for
Simon of Bethany. He has grown old.
but it Is said that his head wish Its
white hair and beard was still the fine
head of Peter. There will be 100 per-
formers in all.
The Passion Play begins at o'clock
in the morning and lasts until In the
afternoon, with two hours intermission at
noon. The theatre is an immense one
but in spite of this, owing to the large
crowds it Is sold out at every per-
Torrance. large number of Alabamians
will be in the audience this year at some
time during the summer.
DANCE FOR VISITORS
A pleasant event of yesterday was the
dance given in the evening by Mr.. and
Mrs. John Patton in compliment to their
two guests, MISS Deta VIII GOldsm1tn
and Miss Helen Goldsmith. A large num-
bel of young people were invited and
the hours of beautiful spring even
ing passed most happily for all. The
residence was handsomely decorated in
pink and white roses and trailing vines
On the porch. veranda, which was
adorned with greenery, was a punch
table decorated with carnations and
roses. Presiding over the bowl were
Mrs Warren Barnett and Miss Mignon
Hall. Another punch table in the din
ine room was in charge of Mrs. Alex
Cecil and Mrs. Tardy. A strawberry
ice served in the hearts of pink chrysan-
themums, and bonbons offered refresh
ment to the dancers.
Mrs. Patton was assisted In receiving
by Mrs. j. r. Gillespy, Mrs. A. L. Hix-
son. Mrs. j. D. Gibson OF Denver, Mrs.
Charles Thompson Of Mississippi. Miss
Alma Burgamy and Mrs. Marguerite
KING.
Mrs. Patton was an attractive hostess
in an evening gown fashioned of white
acc over messaline satin and her guests
IF honor were also charmingly attired for
the evening. Miss Helen Gillespy in yell
lew crystal chiffon over messaline and
Whom WANTING