Los Angeles herald., 1910-10-05
CHORUS LADY SEES THEI
GREAT PASSION PLAY"
Patricia O'Brien ForgetS the New
York Skyline in the SOIemni-
ties of Oberammergau
By ROSE srAm

The first surprise that befell me
when 1 arrived in New York after my
European tour was that some people
considered my attendance at the Pas-
sion play ar-well, what shall 1 say?-
almost q Joke. To their minds the
pilgrimage of Patricia OBrien, chorus
lady, to Oberammergau was, II not
incongruous, curious.
Yet from my viewpoint one In which
the atmosphere of slang, spotlight lner-
riment and stage makeup does not en-
tirely prevail, the visit to Oberammer-
gau was the most interesting portion OF
my whole Journey.
Would it be unorthodox for one 10
say that the visit to Oberammergau
and it's solemn spectacle was refresh
ing? Yet that word partly summed my
impressions when all was over. Ihe
beautiful simplicity of social organiza-
ton in this community OF strong work.
ing people, enthralled' by religious
mission they are certain Is diVlnely
inspired, was worthy of much study
The physical surroundings, the living
conditions, the manners OF these loVaple
folk; all assisted my aim of forgetting
the New York sky line, the short jumps
on the road and the stage setting of
tho "big second act"
ZwINCK THE ARTIST
But l went there to study the acting
of the Passion players as well as 10
forget America. And in Johann ZWinck
I found plenty of opportunity for pro-
fessional attention. He is the Judas,
you know, and from the artistic out
look his is the most desirable role in
the Passion play. 1t Is the part in
which genuine histrionic effects can be
produced and in Its range of the emo
tions-deVotion, treachery and remorse
1T is not dependent upon the sur
rounding glamour of the holy setting.
The latter is the basis of interest for
most of the other characters.
In the role allotted him Zwlnck Is
fortunate. and his capabilities are de-
cidedIy above the average, even at
profession rating. His cringing atti-
tude. his snarling display of money
lust, and his prostrations when the
betrayal has been accomplished are
wonderful to behold. The shadings ana
technique receive the nodding approval
of professional onlookers. Positively
believe that his acting is the crown
ing proof of twentieth century toler-
ance and moderation. In q past era
not so very distant such a complete
and realistic enactment of the traitor
GUS Judas would have reused the peas
ant onlookers to resentment, enough
perhaps to carry harm to the poor inn
personator Of Judas ana the Roman
soldiery In the bargain.
AMERICAN TOURISTS
Zwinck is an old man. Sixty-nine is
his age, was told. 1t is his third sue
cessve appearance as Judas in this
spectacle which measures its intervals
by the decade. He does not look his
| years, but undoubtedly this will be his
last appearance in the role. His young
daughter is the Holy Mother and plays
her part with delicacy and with notes
of anguish which find their way to the
sympathies Lang, as the Christus' at
tains the divine dignity and resigna-
ton one expects.
AS for the American tourist, he is
everywhere in Europe, and when
found him plentiful in Oberammergau
I could neither gasp nor complain. Peo-
pie insist that he Is now the financial
mainstay of the production. Many of
his type make the Oberammergau pill
grimage with Paris in the same itin-
| erary, but so far as 1 could discern
he is respectful, intellisently interested
and not more than reasonably rebel
lious at some Of the demands Of the
thrifty natives.
| AS L stated before, my sojourn in
Oberammergau was refreshing" But
when I say that, trust me, did not
go there for rest cure.
i