The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-07-16
PASSION PLAY WILL
RESUME PERFORMANCES
(Associated Press1

ASSOCIATED Press)
0berammergau, Bavaria, June 27-I
Thirty performances of the Passion
Play have been scheduled for 1922 by
the committee of 21 which is direct
ing the spectacle, but this number
viii be increased if the attendance de-
mands, as was the case both in 1900
and 1910.
1t will require an outlay of 1000
600 marks to stage the Oberammer-
gau play and the villagers are ex-
tremely anxious abuot the German
political situation, lest conditions be
such that foreigners viii not attend
The $50 burghers, who constitute
thel descendants of the original peas
ants who made the vow to produce the
play decennially, personally assume
the responsibility for this expendi-
ture, and the failure to attract suff-
cient visitors to meet the cost would
result in the bankruptcy of practical
| " the entire village, as the 0beram-
mergau folk have slight resources.
Most of the burghers are wood
carvers, potters, painters. sculptors,
farmers, merchants and small shop
keepers. Only the descendants of the
villagers who were saved from the
plague IN 1888 take part in the Pas
sion Play and assume responsibility
for its production.
Next October will be a fateful
month for then the names of the vii
layers who are to have the leading
roles in the spectacle win be an
nounced.
To be selected to enact the role of
| Jesus Christ or one of the apostles is
a far greater honor to an 0beram-
mergau man than election to the pres
idency of Germany or any. other Office
within the gift of the entire German
Epeople.
/ And any woman of Oberammergau
would far rather be chosen to play
the role of Mary or Martha or Mary
Magdalene than to be in the position
i of Frau Ebert as mistress of the
presidents palace in Berlin.
i Many of the actors in the Passion
Play next year viii doubtless be the
i same as those IN the cast when the
play was last produced in 1910. Anton
Lang, who enacted the role of Jesus
Christ in 1900 and 1910, will probably
be chosen for the part again, as he Is
: still young enough to undertake the
Z arduous task and looks the part so
well that younger aspirants are not
likely to displace him.
Ottilie Twink, who played the role
} Iof Mary in 1910. has married since
! that time. No married woman can
! play role. Consequently all the
I young women of Oberammergau with
; ability and experience as actors are
eagerly trying to qualify for the high
: " important part. Paula Rendl
) daughter of Peter Rendl. the sculptor
: who was Joseph of Armmathea in the
play of 1910 and enacted the role Of
/, st. John 21 years ago, is one of the
: most promising candidates for tht
: role of Mary. Fraulein Rendl ha.
: shown great ability in minor relig
e ious plays which are produced con
t stantly by the Oberammergau folk a
means of training actors for tn,
Passion Play.
Marie Mayr. who played the role O
5 Mary Magdalene in the 1910 produc
tion, has also married and is living Il
Chicago. Marie Schmid, who wa
: the Veronica in the last production
). has also married.
i Eighty-two of the Omerammergai
S men died during the war and man.
+ of the older actors of the last pro
j, duction viii be disqualified by age 70
r important roles. Consequently ther
It are scores of places in the cast
y which young men with ability as. &C
!. tors may aspire. They have begun t
let their hair grow. Wigs and make
s-lup are not permitted by the director
Is of the Passion Play.
M Practically all the older men VIII
r had important parts IN the last pro
r duction have never cut their hail
MANY of them have retained thei