The New York herald., 1922-02-26

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the spiritual director of "veronica's veil,t.
are comparable to those of these Academi-
clans of France. They differ only in that
the priest has his candidates around him,
under his constant observation. He
encourages them in the development of
the many little traits Of goodness which
he alone can detect. He knows their petty
troubles, their disappointments and their
hopes. He knows, too, if there is a love
affair that is not promiseful of happiness,
that is not founded on true values. He
knows when to interrupt romance as
well as when to encourage one. 1t is not
only Ruth he must mold each year-but
his other characters as well. Miss Mae
Meyers who portrays the sister of Ruth,
Miriam, and who is therefore, the vii
lainess of the spectacle also is one of his
favored players. Hers Is thankless part,
yet she has endowed it with an interpreta-
tion that stands out in clear relief as
markedly as does that of her stage sister,
Ruth She is vilainess only for the few
weeks of Lent, each year. Other weeks
she lives in hope that again, next year,
Father Bernard will find her as worthy
and as preferable for the part over all the
others.
Viewpoint Not Warped
Because of Her Ambition
One might well think that perhaps a
young woman under such close observation .
and fired with such modest ambitions
would become warped-perhaps somewhat
narrow. That is not to be said of Miss
Mildred, however. She remains a most
usual girl.
She likes the movies, especially II they
disclosesto her admiring and eager eyes
her favorite star. She does not care so
much for the legitimate stage, upon which
she might, il she wished be popular lead
ing woman. She enjoys dancing. A rather
guilty, mischievous smile plays about her
silent lips when she is asked If she does
not enjoy the most ultra modern steps.
The play itself is something of strange,
irresistible beauty to her. The narrative
of Veronica, woman of Jerusalem, who
stood by the roadside watching the weary
journey of Christ under the weight of the
cross on the road to Calvary, is new to
her each year. She lives over again in
her imagination the emotions of the woman
who spontaneously offered her veil that
Christ might wipe his forehead, and who
saw the miracle of the red imprint when
ths.veil was returned to her. She believes
implicitly in the legend of the veils power
to protect its owner.
Actually Lives the Part
Created 1000 Years Ago
She has so earnestly endeavored to per-
feet herself in her portrayal of Ruth that
when she impersonates the High Priests
daughter she is virtually living in the at
mosphere of that time, 1000 years ago,
when the real Ruth lived and went about
her daily affairs.
The success of the Passion Play as an
annual event has been amazing. It's fame
has spread far beyond the little parish
which inspired 1t. It's influence has spread
likewise. This year it Is to be more Law
ishly staged than ever. There are many
new players in the cast and many of the
favorite ones of other years.
or these players there are many in
teresting things that might be told--as re.
markable as this revelation of the strange
devotion to modest ambition which actu-
ates the impersonator of Ruth. These
things, however, belong to the unwritten
history of the behind the scenes" of the
magnificent venture and to tell them
all would rob the spectacle of much of it's
glamourous mystery.