THE BIGGEST PLAY KNOWN.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7351, 2 July 1889, Page 2

THE BIGGEST PLAY KNOWN.

It is a singular fact that the biggest stage play known is played by amateurs, and in a country .theatrical reputation. It lasts from 8 o'clock in. the morning until 5.80 in the afterhcon, with only annour'slnterval, and people travel from every part of the civilized world to see it. We refer to the "Passion Play," as represented at Ober-Ammergau," In Bavaria. The Chinese are credited- with having some very, protractediplays, bnt they have none with a continuous plot like this; The playgoer may miss a few acts in theirs and still De no loser; with this he must miss nothing If he would thoroughly appreciate it, and rarely has he a desire to do so. The " Passion Play" had a curious beginning. In 1633 an epidemic ravaged Ober-Ammergau, and in three weeks killed eighty-four people. The survivors solemnly vowed that if snared they would perform every ten years the representation of the Passion. They have kept their vow, and the next performance will take place in the summer of 1890. The theatre in which the representation is given is usually a wooden structure, partially covered and partially open to the sky, and capable of holding about 6,000 people. The stage is unusually deep and wide, and easily accommodates the 600 persons who in some of the scenes require to be on it atone time. Like all plays, this has undergone a good deal of revision, and aslt now stands it is the work of a priest named Daisenburger, who only died two years ago. There are seventeen acts or scenes, and each scene has three distinct parts, the first being a vocal narration before the scene rises of what is to follow; the second a tableau, also typical of the scene which is represented dramatically in the third part. Some scenes are preceded by two or more tableaux, which are among the most interesting features of the play. 'Really, the "Passion Play" proper commences with the third part. In many instances the setting bf the scene Is a copy of some great painter's work. It is very rarely that the principal characters are taken by the same persons at two consecutive representations, the intervals being so long. It is considered a very great honour to beapportioned these parts, and many covet the position, although by their length some of the scenes are very

trying. In the Crucifixion scene the impersonator of Christ is attached to the cross for twenty minutes, and although mechanical devices are employed to lessen the strain on his muscles, he is usually very much exhausted when taken down. When the play was last given.this character was taken by a clever carver of wood named Joseph Maier—a man of tall stature, dark complexion, soft dark eyes, sweet expression, and of very graceful bearing and the part of Mary was Jfiven to a beautiful young woman, unmarried, . like all the other women who take part in the play, and who is said to have been of pious disposition. .., . Although costing nothing like some of our English plays, this necessitates a consideiable outlay, amounting generally to something like £3,000. It is always " run " for a short season. In 18S0 there were forty consecutive representations, and the receipts amounted to £100,000, which was divided I among the public institutions of the i village, the poor people, and the actors | __r>rl __C__*BBS63» i There is a famous memorial in the village, I standing thirty feet high, and carved out i. of one block of granite, given by King Ludwig IL in testimony of his admiration of the play. Certainly there is no more complete play staged, nor any more beautiful in a spectacular sense, the dresses and accompaniments being perfect. It is sometimes called the " Parsons Play,' because of the great number of clergymen and ministers who flock to see it from all parts ot the world.