The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-08-25
The Ober-Ammergau Passion
Play.

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| All eyes are turned this summer of
f910 to Ober-Ammergau, that excluded
little village, Of some fifteen hundred
souls, enclosed like jewel in the setting
of the high Bavarian Alps. Up on the
mountain top they have planted the cross,
symbol at once of their loyal faith and
intense striving after good. Quite two
hundred and some seventy odd years ago
the inhabitants of the Bavarian Tyrol
were decimated by the plague. The ter
ror stricken people invoking God offered
to do something to propitiate Him. In
common council assembled they made a
solemn vow, if further spared, they would
enact play which should set forth the
Life, Death and Resurrection of our
Blessed Lord. Such was the origin of
the Passion Play, which enlarged and i'm
proved upon, decennially attracts thou
sands of strangers from all over the
world
The play itself is divided into several
acts and scenes, as well as prologue,
and alternates the acted scenes with
tableauX-vivants from the Old Tesla
ment AS in the classic Greek plays
there is chorus which aids in unfolding
the sacred drama, Its part is no incon-
siderable one, and the music is most
beautiful. The performance begins at 8
a. M, and after an intermission of near
ly two hours at noon, continues until =
p. m. Before commencing each perform
ance all the actors assemble together,
behind the scenes, and have few min
utes reverent prayer, in which the bless
ing of the Almighty is invoked. With
these simple hearted peasants the Passion
Play is the most serious epoch Of their
whole lives, and much thoughtful prepar-
alton is given to it. For the time being
one is really the Christ, or Peter, or
John the Beloved; and Judas is followed
with reproachful eyes as he walks along
the quiet village streets. They really
seem to have assimilated something of
those far-off times. Welodged in Peter
house. still hear his calm, slow meas
ured voice, as he gave some direction for
our comfort. AS he stood in his garden,
in the early morn, strained my ears for
the Growing of the cock!
The Passion Play is really wonderful
performance, stupendous effort on the
part of these untutored villagers. All is
done so reverently and earnestly. Even
the children play their parts with a
solemnity beyond their years. 1t is,
however, a trifle too long drawn out, if
some fault be found. Judas holds the
stage full half hour, soliloquizing did
he or did he not do we'll in betraying
Jesus. 1t got to be so firing that one
gentleman drew piece of string out of
his pocket, and holding it up to view
said: Here is rope, for goodness sake,
hurry up and hang Yourself 1t was
most irreverent, no doubt, but expressive
of the general sentiment. But at the
exit of Judas hush settled upon that
vast assemblage, for the most poignant
part of the greatest drama the world
has ever known was about to be enacted.
The crucifxion scene is marvellously well
done. The nails seem to pierce the very
flesh, and the Christ hangs upon his cross
apparently crucified. The muscular ten
sion is so great that the actor is crippled
for days after each performance. He
glories in his sufferings, for the village
folk are very religious and cling with
fervor to the old ideas and traditions
handed down from remote generations.
Always in the Ober-Ammergau Passion
Play the actor who portrays the Christ
expects a high place in Heaven on ac-
count of the suffering endured while
hanging on the cross There were few
dry eyes, and many sobs, as Mary, heart
broken at the foot of the cross, cried
aloud in her anguish. One follows the
gospel narrative with awesome rever-
ence. Surely one must be better after
witnessing such performance.
The people Of Ober-Ammergau are
not money grasping at all. They have
not the commercial spirit. Naturally
they like to see the Passion Play appre'
ciated abroad, their village improved ano
beautifed, but they would never dream
of cheating the public in any way.
Unfortunately they have permitted
outside agencies to syndicate the Passion
Play, without realizing the extent of thu
prejudice it is bound ultimately to cause
them. In consequence of this want O.
foresight, tickets for board and lodging
as we'll as for the Passion Play itself, arr
sold at prices really exhorbitant. A book
ing fee is charged besides, which is rattle
ironical, as one frankly is fleeced. Thes'
different agencies having bought up al
the available lodging space in the littl'
town, the travelling public is literally a
their mercy. You cannot see the Ober
Ammergau Passion Play any other way
1t is vicious circle. The play begins a
a. m. and as Ooer-Ammergau is three