Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1929-08-01
PASSION PLAY WINS APPROVAL

Unanimous approval and high en-
dorsement of the brilliant presentation
OF the famous drama. the Passion Play,
was voiced by Seattle critics when the
wcrld-renowned spectacle opened its
eight night showing at the University
!of Washington Athletic Pavilion Fri
day night last week.
Endorsement Of the play as civic a
chievement and as an artistic success,
was voiced by the critics of all three
Seattle dailies. Special attention was
given the artistic perfection of the Play
by the dramatic critic of the Seattle
Times, Richard E. Hays, in a promi-
nent 'front.' page review following the
opening performance. Mr.. Hays said
in part
Under the spell of beautiful and
impressive enactment of the worlds
Supreme Tragedy huge audience sat
in tense silence for nearly three hours
in the big pavilion ON the University of
Washington campus last night"
1T was the opening performance of
an American version OF the Passion
Play sponsored by the Wayfarer Page
ant Committee and produced under
the auspices of the Associated Students
OF the University Of Washington, and
all that either group hoped to achieve
must have been realized. II is a per-
l form l<n
profoundly felt by all who witness it
and which cannot, believe, fail to
leave at least in the hearts of the relig-
iously inclined, a sense of spiritual in
spiration- and feeling of humility
and reverence to shame the petty con-
flicts of rituals and creeds."
This the first time Seattle has had
the privilege of witnessing perform
ance of the Passion after the manner
Of the traditional enactments of the
majestic tragedy in foreign lands, and
doubtless there are those here who
feel that the sacred history has no
place upon the stage. These should
| not fan to see it for 1t will, or should,
convince them that no sermon ever
Will achieve the sweep of uplifting
power that this spectacle possesses"
Utmost simplicity and dignity have
been accomplished in the present in
depreciation. 1t portrays with fidelity
and irresistible force the history Of the
last days of Christ ON earth picturing
His triumphant entry into Jerusalem;
His miraculous healing of the sick, the
lame and the blind; the Last Supper,
His betrayal, trial and crucifixion in a
series of colorful and dramatic dia-
iogued scenes and deeply affecting tab
leaux. The Great Drama moves slowly
and majesticaiiy to its climax. In pre-
serVii.i. the continuity of the scenes,
the continuity is lengthy, but there
seems to be no scene that could be dis
carded or even cut without sacrifice of
some portion of the history, while the
slowness of its tempo makes it all the
more impressive"
There are several spectacles of ar
/ -N-N.-.b H~AtNsf DtlilE lllt
Last Supper. with the great tragedy to
come implied in the touching resigna-
ton of the Master and in His farewell
to IFS disciples"
"Overshadowing all, however, is the
Crucifixion, its barbaric cruelty proiec-
ted with a vividness that no pen pic
ture could hope to achieve, and the
removal of the Body from the Gross,
through which the audience sat silence
gripped, overwhelmed by the tragedy
and the deep reverence Of its enact
ment"
In a review of equal prominence the
critic for the Seattle Post -Intelligencer.
endorsed the play as a work of art and
as civic achievement OF note. He
wrote in part
! Inthralling vast audience that