MR WALTER BENTLEY.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8163, 18 April 1895, Page 3

MR WALTER BENTLEY.

Looking to the naturo of the exhibition Mr Bentley is bringing to Oamaru this time, and learning that he arrived by the express yesterday afternoon, our reporter waited on him at the Queen's Hotel, and was cordwlly greeted. Well, Mr Bentley, glad to see you back again ; but what is this new idea 1 Ha, ha, laughed the popular actor, that'H just what everybody says. I don't suppose that one out of every hundred professing Christians realise anything of the human side of Christ, and this exhibition is intended to bring that most vividly under their notice. I understand that this is the only miracle play in existence? That is so, and it has the sanction of his Holiness the Pope. There is no vestigo of impiety about it. On the contrary, it is ths> result of a holy vow, and the play is strictly performed as a sacred religious rite The village of Ober-Ammergau in Bavaria contains about 1300 inhabitants, and as 750 persons take part in the drama it will easily be seen that every family has one or more of its members engaged. It is the moat curious and startling dramatic spectacle on earth, and the piety of all engaged reconciles even the hyper* critical. How do you realise the play, Mr Beutloy 1 "Aye, there's the rub." I confess at firdt I was sUggered, and almost in despair, because I had seb my mind on it. £ thought it all out carefully, and ultimately succeeded in realising an exhibit tton that gives an adequate conception to, the audito" of what the original must bo. The crucißxion scene was the most difticult, but with patience and care I got over even that difficulty, and the lightning playing round the eros«, and other details, are all carefully arranged, ao that the whole works smoothly. I understand that you give an explanatory address? Yes. I explain the situation; the origin of the play, and point out the influenca Christianity h?s had on the destinies of nations. I draw the attention of tho people to the human side of Christ, and in a brief analysis of His life and works point ouh tho benrflts He bequeathed to humanity. The exhibition of the picoures then proceeds, and I toll in tho simple but forcible language used at Obor-Arameri/au the " S.ory of the Crow. 1 ' You do not go through the whole pl*y? No That would take too long. I have condensed it rery much, and perhaps I may be allowed to aay to its ad« vantage. You got in two hours a crjstalised version of what actually t»kes eight hours to perform. You are aware that some people in Panediu are objecting to the exhibition.

Oh, yes. There are fanatical fools everywhere ; but I t«ko no notice of them. There in no copyright in the lite of Christ. Anybuly o.ui talk nbout it, and you may bo suro I am not likily to talk about ouch a f übject with thenligh'ost irreverence. I have far too much selfrespect for th*t. How did you obtaiu the picture-, Mr B.nthy? There I had a little difficulty. Carl Stockman has the pole right of taking photographs, and they had to bo obtained through him. They wero sent from Munich to London, mid then direct to Wellington. I can tell you it was a roliof to my mind when Iho stoinior arrived and wo unpacked thorn and found no damage done. They nra exquiai'ely colored, and, ghon all favorable circumstances, ought to be t ho finest set ever exhibited here. I tun soiry to be only ono night here, but I must got to Dunodiii on Frid »y. Igo aa far aa Invercargill, and then back and up t •> Auckland, and if I can porsuido my manager I'll arrange for another ovening here, when I will give you "Fragments from Scot a," which inc'udea a run through Scotland, with n series of beautiful views. Mr Bentley's secretary here appeurod with tt'legratm and loiters; and so aftor thanking Mr Beutley for his courtesy, and hoping that he would hive a crowded home, our reportor withdrew.