“PASSION PLAY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22545, 12 April 1935, Page 14

“PASSION PLAY”

The world famous Passion Play of Ober-Ammergau needs little in the way of introduction to Dunedin residents. The 1934 pictures have just arrived in New Zealand by aeroplane and steamer, and Dunedin has the privilege of witnessing the premiere screening in New Zealand. The 1934 Passion Play was a special performance to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the time when in distress the people of the town raised their hands to God to ask deliverance from a terrible plague which threatened to wipe out the entire village. They promised that if God would lift the plague, they would, as an act of gratitude, perform this Passion Play every ten years as long as they remained a village. For exactly 300 years this promise has been faithfully performed, and the 1934 presentation is claimed to be the most perfect ever produced. The players are eelected from the ordinary tradespeople of the village, not in regard to their respective abilities of acting*, but in respect of the life they have lived. Even a small ein will debar a person from ever taking a part in' the Passion Play. It is now, through the work of the Religious Film Society (N.Z.) brought to the door of every person, and the moving picture representation is all in English. Every Holy Land and Egyptian scene lias been taken upon its exact sup posed location, which adds greatly to the interest. Even the crucifixion scenes are taken upon the actual Calvary, the Garden of Gethsamene, the exact spot where Jesus passed through the terrible agony, deserted by even His trusted followers. The screening of both the official pictures and the representation in moving picture, during holy week, should leave a very profound impression, and the management especially desires that every child shall see it, and arrangements have been made to meet necessitous cases. Application should be made to the minister of the church in which parish they reside or to their own school master, all of whom have authority to issue passes at their discretion. The people of Ober-Ammergau have requested that during the screening of the official pictures of the OberAmmergau Passion Play patrons will kindly refrain from eating sweets. They have also requested that the official pictures shall not be shown in a picture theatre, hence the presentation in Dunedin will take place in the Concert Chamber, on Monday and Tuesday, three sessions daily, and other special sessions by arrangement. As no extension can be made, the management advises patrons to book their scats, for which there is no extra charge.