Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-10-27
THE PASSION PLAY ACTORS.
Obefammergau Peasants Sincere In
49,, Their Work.
BISHOP RUSSELL VISITS THEIR HOMES
Interviews With the Different charae-
ters Who combine to Produce the.
World Famed Play Reveal the Sec
rect Of Their Wonderful Success.

Director of the N. CAV. c. News
Service. s.''
"We concluded that, we had to give
the Play this year, because the world
needed Christ"
In these words, Anton Lang, the
Christus of the Passion Play at Obe-
rammergau, revealed to Bishop VIII
liam r. Russell of Charleston the whole
secret of the success of an expression
OF faith which has-inereased in indu-
ence for 500 years and has caused the
name of q tiny Bavarian village to be
known in every country-non- Christ
ian as well as Christian~throughout
the world. 80
Bishop Russell, who returned last
week from Europe, spent several days
at Oberarnmergau where he not only
viewed the Play under exceptional cir
cumstances. but studied and talked
with each Of the leading characters.
,I had asked Lang" said the bishop,
"if there had not been some talk OF
postponing this years performance.
Yes he replied, we had almost decid-
ed that we. could not produce the
Play. 1t entailed so much labor, many
of our players had been lost In the
war, and our poverty was so great that
the expense would bear more heavily
upon us than ever before. Then we
considered the condition of the world
and we saw our duty. The need of
Christ which was so apparent every
where constrained u.s. I'D 49, a.,
Nothing Stops Playsg .
81 talked first with Anton Lang at
the conclusion of a performance which
had been remarkable. in many ways
and exceptional in that it had been
given partly in a. rain stern.S The s.
500 auditors had just sat under cover,
for the auditorium is rooted; but the
players had been. obliged to continue
to the end unprotected, for the stake
is not closed 10. The wind had swept
the rain in sheets across the stage
with such force that part of the seem
cry had been blown down. Yet there
had been no interruption the Play had
moved along to its tremendous iculmi-
nation, becoming more realistic and
impressive as its appealing apex was
reached.
"I was surprised said, that there
was no break in the continuity of the
scene when the storm first broke
ave stop for nothing ne answered.
":But the players must suffer under
such circumstances, do they not?
"cNo, nearly all of them wear heavy
clothes which they can change as soon
as they have opportunity
'.He. regarded me. for a moment or
two with a faint smile, then he added
quietly, But suffer. suffered to-
day, for hung on the cross with arms
extended for nearly half an hour while
the rain lashed me, and all had for
covering was the feshingsI wear. My
health has become affected and do
not know whether it will be possible
for me. to play after this year, even If
I get through the present season."
The bishop sat for a moment re-
garding his pectoral cross before he
continued.
"Yeu can we'll imagine" he said, as
he looked up, that would not. like to
see the Play in moving pictures. Nor
would I care to see it played by others
than the simple peasants of Oberam-
mergau, unless these others could live
the lives of piety that are lived by the
Oberammergauers. But was anxious
to hear what Anton Lang would say to
suggestion Of playing it elsewhere,
so asked him if he would entertain
an offer to appear in it in the larger
cities.
A Suggestion that Shocked.
''He seemed shocked at the very
suggestion and answered hurriedly:
oh, would not consider anything of
that, kind. could not; love my viii
lage, love my home, do this to
bring Christ to the world
~ remarked that I supposed as soon
as the presentation of the present sea-
son ended, preparations for the next
performance would Immediately begin.
"'Oh no., he replied. there Will be
no other rehearsals or special training
until it is time for the next presenta-
tion. But that is not to say that what
you might call preparation will be en-
tirely neglected. You seel to us in
Oberammergau the Play is our heri-
tage, part of our lives. All young
and old, must contribute something tc
it. Consequently, in our schools we
teach elocution, expression, the ma
turalness of acting. In one way you
might say that we are always in train
ing as actors, but we do not apply that
training in rehearsals until we ap-
proach the time for the next public
performance.
81 could vision the life of these peo.
pie in the years between perform.
ances as he spoke. They began as
little children to dedicate themselves
to great service Of love, and tha'
love kept them clear of heart so tha