The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-07-15
PREPARING TO GIVE
THE PASSION PL4Y
People of 0berammergau are Making
Arrangements for Presentation
in 1922.

Oberammergau, Bavaria, July a.
Thirty performances of the Passion
Play have been scheduled for 1922 by
the committee of q which is directing
the spectacle, but this number will be
increased if the attendance demands,
as was the case both in 1900 and 1910.
1t will require an outlay of SOC, 900
marks TO stage the 0berammergau play
and the villagers are extremely anx-
ious about the German political stu.
alton, lest conditions be such that for
eigners will not attend.
The 800 burghers, who constitute the
descendants of the original peasants
who made the vow TO produce the play
decennially, personally assume the re-
sponsibility for this expenditure, and
the failure to attract sufficient visitors
to meet the cost would result in the
bankruptcy of practically the entire
village, as the Oberammergau folk
have slight resources.
Most of the burghers are woodcarv-
ers, potters, PAINTERS, sculptors, farm
ers, merchants and small shopkeepers.
Only the descendants of the villagers
who were saved from the plague in
1888 take part in the Passion PLAY
and assume responsibility for its pro.
duction.
Next October will be fateful
month, for then the names of the viii
layers who an TO have the leading
roles in the spectacle will be an
nounced.
To be selected TO enact the role of
Jesus Christ or one of the apostles is
a far greater honor to IN Oberammer-
gsu man than election to the presi-
dency of Germany or any other office
within the gift of the entire German
people.
And any woman of Oberammergau
would far rather be chosen to play
the role of Mary or Martha or Mary
than TO be in the position
of Frau Ebert as mistress of the pres
ident's palace in Berlin,
Many of the actors IN the Passion
Play next year will doubtless be the
same as those in the cast when the
play was last produced in 1910. An
ton Lang, who enacted the role of
Jesus Christ in 1900 and 1910. viii
probably be chosen for the part again. |
as he is still young enough to under /
take the srduous task and looks the |
part so we'll that younger aspirants |
IRE not likely 10 displace him
Ottilie Twink, who played the role |
II Mary in 1910, has married since
hat time. No married woman can
play a role. Consequently all the
young women of Oberammergsu with
'bility and experience as actors are
'sgerlv trying to qualify for the high
Y important part. Paula Rendl. the
laughter of Peter Rendl, the sculptor,
rho was Joseph of Arima thea in the
lay of 1910 and enacted the role of
Il. John 2l years ago, is one of the
most promising candidates for the role
+ Mary Frsulein Rendl has shown
'reat ability in minor religious plays
which are produced constantly BY the
folk az means of
raining actors for the Passion PLAY.
Marie Mayr, who played the role OF
larry Magadslene in the 1910 pro-
uction, has also married and is liy-
NJ in Chicago. Marie Schmid. who
7ss the Veronica in the last produc-
ion, has also married
Eighty-two of the Obersmmergsu
len died during the war and many OF
he older actors of che last production
ill be disqualified by age for impor-
ant roles. Consequently there
re scores of places in the cast to
-hich Young men with ability as act
rs may aspire. They have begun TO
. their hair grow. Wigs and make
ps arc rot permitted BY the directors
the Passion Plaw
Practically all the older men who
nd important parts in the last pro-
notion have never cut their hair.
ANY Of them have retained their
ng boards and pride themselves on !
leir resemblance to the biblical char