New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

designed the entire lighting system of the
AUDITORIUM, including the stage devices and
the house lighting. In order to obtain
proper illusions he has devised MANY
ingenious schemes, and invented machine
which launches a thunderbolt at the statue
Of Jupiter in one scene and skaters the
statue to pieces
Together with Father Bernard Father
conrad has planned all the details of the
play. He it was who designed the scenery
and first worked out the costumes and the
intricate production. He knows every inch
OF the stage, the use of all the implements
there, and is not only director of the plav.
but could take any part in it or do any task
IN connection with the production. if neces-
sary.
There could be no dissension in the cast
of "Neronica's Veil" simply because every
one worships the director, and he is the
final arbiter in all questions of debate. For
instance, when one young woman wished to
purchase a costume from a New York de-
sgner he forbade it, lest it prove out Of
place among the other costumes of the pay
But II any young woman wishes to elaborate
her costume bit with a jewelled belt or
fancy hair ornament, the director permits
that 1t was he, too, who discovered the in
teresting fact that in some states of this
country there laws against the per
formance Of plays in which the Christ has q
part. To avoid trouble he made the part of
Christus one Of pantomime Throughou+ tho
play the Saviour says not line. The silken
veil Of Veronica, on which Father Conrad
painted with his own hands the features Of
ho Nhric ic y
value because of the pastors relation to
his people.
"veronica's Veil? is presented in five
acts, interspersed with tableaux of particu
Lar episodes of the Scriptures relating to
The passion and death of Christ It opens
with the betrayal Of Christ by Judas. Al
ready the play has gone through eightv-one
performances, and as the actors are. many
OF them the same as those of the original
cast there is little ground for calling the
production an amateur one Most of the
young men in the play who went off to war
have returned to West Hoboken. thus rem
dering it unnecessary to have complete re-
shifting of parts. Among them was Joseph
Halsch, the original Christus who has lust
been discharged from Camp Dix and will
play his old role.
1t has been rumored several times that
there is possibility of bringing the Passion
Play to New York, but the rumor is un-
founded. The play has attracted the atten-
olon OF more than one Broadway manager.
out all offers of metropolitan production
nave been refused. To the Passionist faith
ers, "Neronicas Neil' is significant with
reference to their vows To the cast it il
sacred performance, how sacred is shown
by the fact that all the members engage in
three days retreat before beginning the
play. To the people of West Hoboken it
IS a local triumph which must be retained
There will be performances this year on
every Sunday. Tuesday and Thursday even
ing during the Lcnten season at s:l5 and
every Sunday ut . 80 in the afternoon. with
special performances for children on Feb
ruary 22, % and March l, . and s. The one
hundredth presentation will be the occasion
for special ceremonies.