The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-08-28
THE OBERiMuERGAU Contract

THE OBER Contract
Form of Agreement signed by EVER one
Taking Part In the Passion Play.
II was on the morning Of December :.
1900. that the principal actors Of the
Passion Play were called together AZ the
rehearsal theatre building On the after
noon OF the 18th, says MoCiurs's. the rest
Of the performers were assembled at the
same place. Here each was presented
with paper for his signature. the transla-
ton Of which is as follows:
III" Ions hoped for season Of the Passion
PLAY - drawing near and thousa nds upon
thousands will bs brought here to witness
the same
Tor us there arises the sacred duty Of
bringing all our energies to bear upon meet
ing the demands OF the time
With this IN view every participant must
obiigu'e himself 10 q conscientious per
Torrance OF hi- task and emphasize this
10y signing the following contract
CONTACT
The undersi gned accepts tho appointed
role position s@rvicel as and
obligates himself to perform his task nc
corling TO the best Of his knowledge and
ability and especially to take his part at
every performance in the coming acts or
tahleauX
The requirements Of the director OF the
play and Of the committee are to he followed
uncond itionRlly.
For the men taking part on the stage
smooth face or full beard and long hair. sc-
cording 20 the requirements Of the mana ge-
meat. ~ made a stipulation during the play
season Nonconformity to this condition
will entail the immediate withdrawal Of
the role position, -eTvicei.
Ia case Of absence or negligent during
rehear-al- or performances. as well as
w,lful injury to costumes or outfits. cor
responding damages will he required OF
the undersigned
whosoever refuses without satisfactory
reasons 20 accept the role position. serviceI
assigned him may look forward TO the par
tIal withdrawal OF the tickets to which he
NAV otherwise be entitled.
Whosoever from the beginning OF his ac-
ceptance of role tposition, AerviceI and on
or during the time Of the play through I'M
becoming conduct shall iniure the COM
munIty or the play from him shall be with
drawn his role or a corresponding fine he
levied
Incompe'ency in performing role viii
entail the exempt ION from the same and in
-tallation in some other employment
Any addition or withdrawal OF partici-
pants IN the tableauX not indiC ated In the
contra u FfrFINefi pN ne uhnAketneui.
VOLUNTARY transfer 81 soto parts To singers
for whom they were not intended IL for
bidd.n slso the abstraction Of single parts
of roles which have been assigned 70 hers
In asses 81 extraordnaTv or insufficient
capabilities the committee reserves the right
- ra'sing OF lowering the salaries OF such
ones
The part cipants are obliged. with an In
dcmn.'v for loss Of time. to be photographed
IN. 10 nh naA
upon by the community
To b" Photographed nv any ct her pho
'ogra ph"r n costume or To have the role
'Itl" imprinted VA ciNl dress on pictures or
on post ards j. forbidden Participants
- hp~. pictures are not among tho ON ial
photographs VIII be permitted nv consent
81 the council 10 b. photographed IN COS
tune az their own expense
NonrouforWttv 20 the above contract
wiIl D." punished bv withdrawal ~ role
.ro.tiun service ant corresponding
ru. according to he deC son Of the com
m'FtN.'
Thus are the OberAmmergauerS through
the gloved but iron hands uf their capable
leaders at whose head stands Ludwig
Lang. brought face 20 face with the I'm
alterable conditions that 20 10 make the
Passion Play the worthy shrine Of modern
pilgrimagea
One Young man has already been made
20 feel the heavy hand OF discipline. since
in a moment OF anger he committed a
deed unworthy Of one who would tread
the stage % the Passion PLAY. Another
son Of OberammerRau became guilty OF
condI-t unbecoming a participant in the
sacred drama. Anticipating the loss Of
his role and feeling that he could not
bear the consequent disgrace he left his
HON" and family with Only an hours
warning In shame and sorrow he 10 nov
IA a strange land. paving the se'f-imposed
pena ~ ~ his folly.
In the winter preceding the Passion
Play IN. carnival seasoI before Lent ~
not celebrated in Oberammergau W being
held a. an unsuitable preliminary 20 the
sacred drama OF the Passion Of Christ
In fact in DbeTammergau u - n lsanten
season from the beginning 81 the re-
h.arsals IN January until the plav ~ over
IN september. no festivities Of any kind
belng permitted
Even a wedding. which in the Bavarian
highlands ~ usually an occasion Of the
greatest hilhrity. tie Teasing. drinking
dancing aud singing often lasting FOR
DAYS. ia at this season the mildeat OF
AFFAIRS IN Oherainmergau Couples. there
fore. who reckon upon the gayeties Of an
old time celebration as a remembrance To
carry with them for the res' Of their lives
Do-tp one their nuptials until after eth
Passion season - over