Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-10-06
MISS QUA|FE TELLS
OF PASSION PLAY"
osERAMMERGAU DRAMA is
CLUB FEATURE.
WoMAN's CLUB HOLDS
ITS OPENING MEETING
Seasons Work is Begun Wednesday
Afternoon With Delightful Program
Mrs. Montgomery, New President,
Outlines Policy Along Broad Lines
Miss Quaife's Address.

An suspicious opening OF the Mar
shail,own Woman's Club was enjoyed
Wednesday afternoon at Red Mems
formal reception was held, with the
club officers in the receiving line, the
object being principally to meet the
new members.
Mrs. May F. Montgomery. president,
was In the chair. and in opening the
program, greeted most cordially the
club and lis visitors In hex remarks
Ms. Montgomery sounded briefly her
policy for the club year which is along
broad lines. the keynote of which is 10
bring the club nearer TO the ideals of
the general federation.
A piano number Vas given by Mrs
Hazel Dinges AIck:rnon, Who played,
by request. Sous Bots" (Staub). In
response 10 a hearty encore she gave
Sunrise" (Karg Elert).
The feature Of the afternoon was a
delightful talk by Miss Fannie Quaife
on The Oberau n ergau Passion Play"
and in view OF the popular interest in
this subject, II proved az especial
treat 10 hear details from the lips of
one who witnessed il. Miss Quaife,
thru chance acquaintance with one
familiar with the lives and ideals of
these Bavarian peasant players, was
enabled TO relate many inside facts re-
garding The play. and the people who
present IL, which are not generally
known. Many OF her own experiences
added an interesting personal touch TO
that, altho nowhere else in Europe did
she have a similar difficulty. she
got lost three times in few hours in
this little village OF winding streets and
only 1.600 inhabitants.
Regarding the arrangement for this
play. given in fulfllment o. vow.
every ten years since 1868. in gratitude
for deliverance from a pes,Nence which
then swept over the country. she stated
that a committee which has complete
control is named months beforehand.
On Oct. II, 1909 the players were as
signed their parts. Daily rehearsals be-
gan about Jan !. and the first per-
Torrance was given May IS- The max
ing of the costumes is no small matter,
and about 600 new ones We're in use
this year. OF the visitors. the greater
share IS made up or Americans
Miss Quaife touched upon the early
history OF that music and art loving
country. Bavaria. and its great patron
those thing, King Ludwig II. in
i, leading up 10 the passion play itself.
In touching upon the financial phase of
the production she utterly disagreed
with the frequently heard criticism
tina: il IS merely a money making
scheme. and quoted statistics TO prove
that the expenses are enormous and
the profits small. particularly consid-
ering that no, only is all renlunerative
work laid aside by the PLAYERS from
May l 20 the last of September, but
months previous are given up 70 re-
hearsals. AS an additional proof she
cited numerous magnificent offers
made these Bavacians to give the pro-
ductlor elsewhere. including offers 10
individual players. all of which have
50 far BEEN refused Regarding an
other criticism. Of tourist companies
beng give. some OF the arrangements,
she considered IL an immense conven-
ience. but one that It is not at all nee
essary 10 accept. She also touched
upon me weIl-known fact that II is the
highest ambition Of these peasants TO
take part in the passion play, and told
.
be for a certain part. bitter feelings
and disappointment vanished once the
rehearsals began.
OF the play itself lasting from S
O'clock in the morning until in the
evening, with two hours intermis
sion, Miss Quaife gave dramatic and
moving account. II is divided into
three parts, covering the periods. from
the entry Of Christ into Jerusalem to
supper, the second trial before Plate
and the despair of Judas, and the
closing scenes OF Christ's life, including
the ascension. Preceding it, are given
twenty-six tableaux, showing the con-
meeting links between the Old and New
Testament. Miss Quaife. while in
Oh1raulmerg stayed al the home Of
the peasant taking the part Of Lazarus.
The program closed with two vocal
first, The Lost Chord" being pecul-
iarly appropriate e the preceding talk.
Her other number was In the Garden"
(Hawley). Miss Catherine Sutphen
was her accompanist.
About $50 were present. including
number of guests. and after the pro-
gram all were served with light re-
freshments, in charge OF the enter
tainment committee. OF which Mrs. 3.
the afternoon were Mrs. F. E Northup,
Mrs. c. r Brown. and Mrs. W. J. Van
Derveer. The room was prettily decor