Evening star., 1942-10-06
Meier Gives Moving
Performance as
Passnln Play Chrisfus
Presentation -EIuboruteIy
costtnn,ed I!e and Staged
At Constitution HntI

The age-old story of Christ was
brought yipidly to life last night
with dramatic fervor as a cast OF
more than 100 opened the Black
Hllls Passion Play" at Constitution
sincerity and a sense of deeply
religious feeling marked the produc-
tion Throughout. Led by Josef
Meier, as the Christus, the players
moved through the n scenes Of an
elaboratEiy costumed and staged
production with . pace dignified and
impressive.
Obviously Handicapped by stage
smaller than the scenery was de-
signed for, the drama showed less
confusion, and congestion in the
handling of the large cast than
might haye been expected With
more practice in use of the con-
stricted exits, even these apparent
d1fhcu1tfes no doubt win be elimi-
mated later, in the run of u matinees
and IL night performances.
Used to Giant Stage.
In their home; town of Spearfish,
5. Oak, in. the Black Hills, to
which the Passion Play" was trans
planted in 1882 from it's original
home IN Leunan. Westphalia, the
cast had been presenting the pro-
duction In a gigantic amphitheater,
with an outdoor stage about two
blocks long; Several animals were
used then .,-e-. :Iz 81
This Passion, Play, is said to
have originated in 1242
Outstanding among the cast is Mr.
Meier as Christus. He also is the
director. and infuses the entire
drama with his own spirit. His face
Is sensitive, his eyes sorrowful, his
hands highly expressive and hts
voice strong. He moves sedately
through the story with dignity and
simplicity which under momentum
Of spiritual feeling, at times reach
moments Of great beauty, Aeeentuat-
ing this is the skillful handling of
properties, especially lighting effects,
AS in the scene of the Last Supper,
where in dimming illumination a
tiny light family glows on the Holy
Grail
Honors also go to Leland Stanford
Harris .of the California Leland
Stanford family, who is said to have
joined the cast many years ago, in
Leuman, and now plays the role of
Judas. He holds his audience with
a. skillfu4 Interpretation of the be-
trayer-acquisitive, traitorous, re-
morseful. Every infection of the
voice, every move of the eyes, the
hands, tell, their part of the story.
Mrs. Meier Plays Mary.
Mary, the Mother, is portrayed by
Mrs, Clare Hume Meier, with a
depth of feeling which affected the
first night audience. Her voice is
tragic. Eugene Stuckman is a
sympathetic John, Charles Condit is
excellent as Ezekiel, and Karl Way
commanding as Caiphas the High
Priest. An imperious Pontius PLATE
is presented by Harold Rogers.
Throughout the play, accompani-
ment by the great organ of the hall
and a mixed chorus under direc-
tion of Justin Lawrie enhance ef-
fects by presenting familiar relig-
ious musical background.
The language OF the book is in
triguing to those who love the story.
Line after line is taken from Holy
Writ. But in some places there are
deviations from familiar passages
which strangely enough appear to
sharpen curiosity and heighten the
effect. The story carries the
Christus from his triumphant en-
try into Jerusalem. plots of the
high priest and scribes, the Last