THE PASSION PLAY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1930, Page 5

THE PASSION PLAY

PREPARING FOR SUNDAY'S

PERFORMANCE

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

BERLIN, Aliy 8 An Cher Ammergaii report. states

villagers in this tiny Buv.i-m.iu town a-g..m showed the devotion , with which they fulfil the solemn vo .' of their ancestors 298 years .<g.> when the plague was raging to r •jii c.m hl the Passion of Ch .nt every decack A final rehearsal a*, the new theaire in preparation' for Sunday’s oliicial opening, was witnessed by the entire Bavarian Government, Papal Nun r eio and celebrities from all parts of the world. Fluttering costumes of the players, tlie crucified figure on the Cross, amid drizzling rain and dark' scurrying clouds over the towering mountains was a most effective sight. Every tail'd inhabitant of the village participates in the performance. There were 550 on the stage in the choir or orchestra, and 290 as stage hands. Despite the financial complications involved in presenting a play under modern conditions the new theatre alone cost fifty thousand sterling, there is every evidence of the original religious intention being maintained in the spirit as well as in form. There are fifty-five hundred beds for strangers in a village of twenty-one hundred inhabitants (and thirty-five performances will be given. BERLIN, May 8.

A journalist spoke to Alois Land who is Christas Jenele, a lovable man tired after a long rehearsal. “It is anxious work,” he said sadly. “There are unpaid rehearsals all ‘the winter evenings and in the daytime I do wood carving. I now have a leading part and -hope to get a good price for even a Christus must live. We have fouH-een boarders to-morrow.”

“He gets no rest,” broke in his «tout wife who was accompanied by five Daelissunds.

Half way down the village was the High Priest Caiphas shoeing a horse ITe. is a big lufndsome fellow with a black' beard. ‘“No one loves Caiphas,” he stated. “I’ve played the part twice but my son he plays the Angel at the Tomb, which is better.”

, NOTHING THEATRICAL

BERLIN, May 8

The journalist at Obermmergau, continuing his enquiries, found across the street there was » the “Virgin Mary” busy at lier housework in overalls. - She had her long fair hair tucked away. “You are young for the part?” said the journalist.

“Yes,” she replied. . “At the Crucifixion the Virgin.was fifty. I’m not yet twenty-three, but only unmarried women under thirty can participate in the Passion Play. People say I will marry some rich American, but I never will. I will not leave Oberammergau. I played in the Crowd when I was under four years of age. “You’ll excuse me. AVe are expecting sixteen boarders tomorrow.” At the end of the street was “Saint John,” busy with a ' paint brush., He said : “I am glad the real play is coming. lam tired of the rehearsals.”

“Perhaps” .suggested the journalist, “ you will some day go to America to enter the films?” He replied: “Never. We have had big offers but no one at Obermmergau would do such a thing. But I mustn’t stay gossiping. We „ have twenty boarders coming to-morrow.

might well have taken more wickets