THE OBER AMMERGAU PASSION PLAY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 14, 5 April 1900, Page 10

THE OBER AMMERGAU PASSION PLAY.

THB^following interesting article relating to the Ober Ammergau Passion Play, which, as we mentioned in a recent issue of the N.Z. Tablet, will be produced this summer, appeared in a late number of The Sphere :—: —

All the world is now familiar with the fact that every 10 years the peasants of the little village of Ober Ammergau are in the habit of representing the Death and Passion of Christ. The play brings from every part of Europe an immense crowd of tourists, all of whom listen with breathless interest to a representation whioh has about it an air of realism that at some moments becomes indescribably terrible. Ober Ammergau is in the Bavarian Tyrol. We are told that in the year 1633 the village was desolated with pestilence, caused by the wars of Gustavus Adolphua. The plague was stayed after the people had recorded a solemn vow to perform this Passion Play once every 10 years for ever. Passion Plays, of course, have abounded in the Church of the middle agea in England, as well as throughout Europe. But although there are other survivals in our own time besides that of Ober Ammergau, that representation alone has excited universal curiosity throughout the world. When I went to the Passion Play 10 yeara ago, travelling over Munich, the jouruey included a pleasant carriage-drive over a mountain pass. It is said that a steam tram, or a service of motor cars is on this occasion to convey the visitor into the primitive Bavarian village, and that is a pity. For the most part, the tourist is lodged in the houses of the peasantry — a charming and unspoiled peasantry. He finds himself face to face, now as host, now as waiter or servant, with the very people whom in a few hours he will see representing in the most solemn fashion some of the historical figures of the New Testament. The Apostle John, for example, I remember, was a waiter in one house, and I am afraid he was more often called 'St. John ' than by his own more prosaic name of Peter Rendl. Jobann Zwink, again, however much he might excite the detestation of the audience when he presented the character of Judas Iscariot on the &tage, was a thoroughly humane person in private life. I remember further the kindly burgermaster whose daughter represented Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph Maier, the wood-carver, who for two successive decades had represented Christ. There is to be a great redistribution of parts in the play of 1900. Burgermaster Lang still has the general control of the proceedings, but he will no longer perform the part of the High Priest, Caiphas. That goes to his son, Sebastian Lang, while another son, Anton Lang, takes the part of Christ. Anton Lang is a maker of those ornamental terracotta stoves which are so well known to all of us who have visited Germany. Joseph Maier, who, as I have already said, has so long taken the part of Christ, will this time be content with the delivery of the prologue. As one knows, the Burgermaster's daughter, Rosa Lang, will not take the part of Mary again. She is succeeded by Anna Fluger. The new Pilate ia Sebastian Bauer, while Thomas Rendl, who waa Pilate in 185)0, will now take the part of Peter. The part of John will be taken as before by Peter Rendl. The dress rehearsal of the play is to take place on May 20. The performances will run from May 24 to September 30, there being 27 performances in all, or more if the crowd of tourists shall justify the repetition. The Play commences at eight o'clock and lasts till half -past fire, with an interval of one and a half hours for refreshment. In 1890 the greater part of the hall was uncovered and open to the sky, but the little village community is now growing more enterprising, and, at a cost of £10,000, has erected a covered hall whioh will hold 4000 people. The stage is still open to the sky, and the valleys and mountains will still furnish a background to the most impressively devotional ceremony that the modern world can show.

Nothing offends God like pride. Suffering brings to the surface our beet. It is terrible to wound one whom we love. Sarcasm has often dulled the edge of love. To God, thy country, and thy friend be true. Guard your weak point. Be lord over yourself. Woman is the most perfect when the most womanly.