OBER AMMERCAU.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11168, 29 March 1930, Page 9

OBER AMMERCAU.

THE PASSION PLAY A BEAUTIFUL SPECTACLE “In this close valley from the world divided, Where rock and pine point upwards to the sky By thoughtful prayer the soul to God i.s guided, Whom in His works she strives to glorify.” Once again to this picturesque little village of Ober Ammergau, nestling among the pine clad heights and snow-capped mountains of the Bavarian Highlands, the eyes of all Christian. countries are attracted as to a central point. The steep miniature mountain pass of ’Eitalborg, upon which Homan soldiers once toiled, is not used as in former years. The new road will be shortly traversed by eager crowds bound on a pilgrimage to witness for themselves a spectacle, which, ns an embodiment- of simple old-world faitli and piety, is without parallel in our day (writes Mary Badel iffe in the Sydney Morning Herald.,

The Passion Play or drama representing tho death and resurrection of our Lord was not until recent years in. any way peculiar to this one spot of Southern Germany. Carefully prepared miracle plays were enacted , at several parts of the Austrian Tyrol, and as time went on nearly every

country in Europe had its own liivstorv drama.

The taking part in this great Passion Play is not- to the Ober-Ammer-gau peasant- a dramatic performance. It- is simply an act of worship, and such as it is impresses itself on the spectator.

The origin of tho play strikes a significant- note (not unappropriate at this present time in our own fair land). Nearly 300 years ago. when the Thirty Years "War was devastating Germany, an epidemic of plague broke out in the villages of the Bavarian Tyrol. This little secluded village of Ober-Ammergau. was, however, free from the visitation aud in order to avoid infection the authorities forbade any of the inhabitants to pass beyond tho circle of mountains which surrounded the village. Unfortunately an Ober Ammergau peasant, who had been working in a neighbouring village, returned by night to his home. Three days after lie died of the fell disease, and many of his fellow-villagers succumbed to t he same dread cause.. In their agony of terror, the people made a solemn vow, declaring, if God would turn the plague from their homes, they would with all due solemnity and reverence perform a phty then and every ten years to follow setting forth the death and resurrection of the Redeemer.

SCENES PROM CHRIST'S LIFE

I lib Passion Play consists of eighteen acts or scenes, with a prologue or introduction. Each of the scenes is complete in itself, and is prefaced by one or more tableaux, taken from Old Testament incidents, each one having sumo special reference to the portion of Christ’s life which is afterwards to lie represented.

The fifth act is one of the most effective of the whole play, and the grouping is very beautiful. The scene is the Last Supper. The intense earnestness and the quiet dignity of the chief actor, and the reverent attitude of other members, are most- impressive. It is to the spectator,- if not a vision of the actual scene, a poetical dream of it.

The harrowing scene of Christ- on the road to Calvary, bending exhausted and bloodstained under the weight of His cross, and the touching farewell to His sorrowing mother, are two of the most poignant parts ot this saddest of all tragedies. The sixteenth act is the Crucifixion, ft is difficult to believe that the body of the crucified one is not actually nailed to the cross. The only visible rest is a small block beneath the one foot, and the strain upon the nerves and muscles of the personaior of Christ must he, and is acknowledged to be, most severe. Every incident in this scene is depicted with a stern reality. Tho deep silence of the awe-struck spectators is intermittently broken by the irrepressible sobs of both men and women, who are not ashamed to weep over the contemplation of Christ’s unexampled suffering. AY hen at last the ptolotigcrt agony is over, the final words, “It finished’'’ spoken, and a crash of thunder resounds over the heads of the gazing 'multitude, the eliuiax of the awful tragedy is readied. CONVINCING HEAL I SAL

Tho crucifixion scene lasts usually from 15 to 20 miuutes. The descentfrom the cross is one of the most tragic parts of the drama. The nails have every appearance of being wrenched with violence from the hands and feet. Indeed, the whole effect is wonderfully real and deathlike. The last act represents Christ’s entry into heaven. The choirs sing their last triumphant cciiig and the curtain falls. The play lasts, from 8: in the ,morning till 6 in the evening, with an interval of two hours for refreshments. Tho effect produced on the mind by “Passionsspiel” representation is varied. Some condemn iV while

many find it most inspiring. The Passion Play is not, as one has written, ‘fit thing to be argued about.” Let ns hope that, as time goes on, we may not bo found: “Too faithless, or too wise, For this old tale of many niystes . ies.”

The Ober-Aminergau mystery drama is, indeed, a “wild and beautiful mountain flower.” and if it- were removed from its true home would wither away and leave the world, less fragrant by its loss'. ■ **’ May it bo granted that, as time goes on, those who are privileged to take part in this re-enactment-of tho passion and death of our Lord, may still, as in former years, be able with the poet- to rejoice that “Still upon this earth should ho So many simple souls!”

Indications are. that the Feilding Farmers’ Freezing • Coy will handle about 300,000 sheep - and lambs ih'K *<>ason and if this figure is readied : t will constitute a / record ■ for ‘ the company. Tho previous- best-figure s 250,000 and the drafting alroadv .handlod_ as -'well as that forward hooked, certainly points to tire -roe ord being easily achieved'. There -is also a very marked improvement’ in the' number of cattle' handled -while development in the png industry Ims benefited the works.