The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-28
THE PASSION PLAY
(By Sarah Louisa WilIiams.)

| dI ONSE Iue S0d, III I110 heart or | Europe, lies the little village of Ober-
 ammergau, surrounded by snow-cap- ped mountains. This obscure part of
 southern Germany has for centuries
 been the center of movement which
 has had worldwide inf1uence-The
 Passion Play.
 l Many years ago, in 1893, the village
 near Oberammergau became 4flicted with a terrible plague, of which aI-
 most one-half of their population died
 Oberammergau did its utmost to ex-
 clude the devastating disease, and suc- | ceeded, until a man from a neighbor-
 ing village crept in at night. to see his
 wife and child. With him came the
 terrible plague, and before many months had passed. it's ravages had
 wiped out most of the simple peasants.
 The few remaining ones gathered to- gether in their church, and, since all | human aid had proved useless, divine | help was implored, and the people vowed that if the plague were stayed, | they would at stated intervals, present scenes from the Old and New Testa- ! ments, and act the sufferings of then Saviour. From that day, no person died of the plague!
 The next year, 1884, the first per- formance was given in the village churchyard, at first crude in its stag ing, costuming, and material, the play, copied from medieval manuscripts, was successful, and having been en- larged and revised since then by mas ters who have put into it new force and beauty, 1t has steadily improved. Performances were made every ten years, until 1870, when an extra pres entation was given.
 During the next century, several in- terruptions occurred. At one play season, the village was overrun by harsh invaders; at another, a war called the men to arms, and left too few inhabitants to give the play. Still another performance was omitted through the influence of outsiders, who declared it sacreligious and per suaded government authorities to for bid it. The noble spirit of the Ober- ammergauers then voiced petition for the withdrawal of this decree, and for one season it was withdrawn, but was later renewed. A second petition was framed, presenting every p1aus- ible reason for the continuation of the play. The solemn VOW of their an- cestors; the poverty of the people whom it helped to support; the al- ready great expense which had been borne in order to improve play and theatre; the difference from outsiders in the time of its performance; the church, schools and roads which must
  ceipts; the disappointment of visitors whom it had attracted; all plead for the repetition of the Passion Play. It was refusedi Fortunately, change in government revised the decision in favor of Oberammergauers, and henceforth, theirs only was the privi- lege of presenting it, at the time which they approved.
 The village of Oberammergau is ap- preached by a steep, winding road, once dangerous and uncut, up which one toiled on foot, later, paved, and graded, so that wagons might ascend; now traversed by modern electric cars. The Ammer river is always in view, the sparkling stream flowing fertile, flower-decked valley, and giv- ing no hint that it has twice over flowed its banks. bringing destruction to villages and poverty to the 1well- CTS. Overlooking both valley and village stands the Kofel, the most fam- ous peak of the region, on the summit of which a cross shines in the sun light. Even when clouds obscure the mountain, the cross is visible, sus- pended from Heaven, the symbol of divine protection to which the village has a peculiar right, and the guardian spirit of the Passion Play.
 The people themselves live much as do other peasants of the mountain country. They are we'll educated, and have soul for music. For nine years they pursue the ordinary rou- tine, most of the men being expert wood-carvers, who dispose of their unique products during the play-sea- son. In the ninth year, however, the very atmosphere changes, for then council composed of pastor, mayor, and chief citizens distribute the parts to the actors. Almost every villager has some part, and it is the highest ambition of every boy to bear the part of "Christus," and the girls fondest dream, to be worthy to represent Mary" Parts and actors are dis cussed and considered, and the wisest appointments made.
 A time of dreaded suspense is the few months before the announcement is made, and the grevious heart burnings, and bitter disappointmen ents are unavoidable, the absence of jeal- ousy and covetousness is remarkable. Such traits would seem directly op- posite to the spirit of the play, and each person now realizes, as never before, the sacred character and vast enormity of the project. The rever- the season are created without appar- reproduce in his life, the character which he bears.
 RehearsaIs are held nightly, the Ieaux being rehearsed separately un- til the last few weeks of preparation. Tha4play, season begins snear5 5Easter.