Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-03-20
Play TO BE REVIVED
AT 0BERAlIAvHERyHERGAU; REQUESTS
FOR SEATS ARE POURING I'M
First Regular Performances Will Be Given on
May Il; Municipality Rejects Proposition
That Tax Be Levied on Foreign Visitors;
Stern Rebuke Awaits Profiteers.
nv TIC AsSOCTATED PRESS

| CpeIdulilleTSdu, bavaria, MarCn
10 (by the Associated Press. -
| Preparations for the first post war
revival of the passion play have
progressed sufficiently to enable
the committee of elders to an
nounce that the final dress re-
hearsal win be held May 9. The
first regular performance will be
given on May IA.
Thirty-five thousand applica-
tons for seats and sleeping ac-
commodations already have been
received from abroad and while
the local management has not vet
received indications as to the ex-
tent to which Germans will pat
ronize the production of the play.
it assumes that German attendance
Will more than quadruple the for
eign patronage.
Summer Performances.
Anticipating an unusual influx of
visitors in July and August, the
management has decided to give
Wednesday performances during
these months.
Economic conditions have oblig-
ed the village elders considerably
to amplify their directing staff, not
so much as concerns the produc-
ton of the play as to solve the
problem Of accommodating thou
sands of visitors for whom the
comforts and conveniences of
travel before the war are now not
available.
The conditions under which the
play will be revived this year have
shocked the rural simplicity of |
these peasant play producers, and, |
while determined to prevent the |
sacred enterprise from becoming |
basely commercialized, they are |
now beginning to realize that the !
wars aftermath has produced an
economic environment with which |
they are compelled to reckon.
The municipality of Oberammer- !,
gau has peremptorily rejected a |
proposition that it levy a tax on |
foreign visitors which, it declares, /
would be out of harmony with the
origin and traditions of the play |
and also would conflict with tho
purpose of the present revival |
which is regarded as one way of |
reconciliation between
Germany and the other nations.
The, town fathers. however. an
nounce that they have been forced
to assume a considerable initial ex-
pense in preparing for the 'produc-
ton, reconstructing the theater
which will seat 1900 spectators
and in providing costumes.
Oberammergau also is sadly In
need of municipal improvements
to give the village a presentable at
tire when the first gIests arrive.
A new church bell alone called for
an outlay of 10000 marks, while
of the main streets has
cost almost as much.
Stakes All on pIay.
All told, this hamlet which, In
peace times. had q budget of in-I
proportions. already has
staked its municipal existence ON
the outcome of this years produc-
lions. !
Oberammergau will be able to
furnish accommodations for 1000
visitors who prefer to sleep In the
village in order to be on hand for
the early opening performances.
Unterammergau. close by. is ar
quarters for 1880 others,
while the well known convent at
Ettal, half an hours travel distant,
Is preparing to. install 500 emer- /;
gency cots. Thus the management !
Of the play believes that it will be I,
amply able to accommodate the
overflow OF visitors.
The problem OF feeding the +;
guests is more intricate and to
solve it the elders have appointed I
) commissary department which H
will cooperate with the Bavarian ]