The Age Herald

THE PASSION PLAY
Features of the Presentation of the Great Drama This Year

From the New York World

Anton Lang, the Christ of 1900 in Oberammergau's "Passion Play," is a potter. He is but 25 years of age.

Joseph Mayer, the Christ of 1870, 1880 and 1890, is the Prologue for 1900, a part created for him on account of his great popularity and fitness, and the fact that his age prevented his acting the character of Christ again.

Anna Flunger, the 18-year-old daughter of the village postman, enacts the character of Mary. Her face is not as spiritual as was the Mary of 1880, Rosa Lang. It is the first time she has ever been upon the stage. None but a young maiden is ever called upon to enact this character. Rosa Lang, the Mary of 1880, is now a sister in the Convent of the Good Shepherd at Vienna.

The other new actors in the principal parts are Wilhelm Rutz as Nicodemus; Andreas Bauer, as Joseph of Arimathea; Martin Oppenrieder, as Annas; Gregor Breitsamter, as Nathaniel; Maria Schwab, as Martha, and Jacob Bierling, as Simon of Cyrene.

The present Passion theater was erected last year at a cost of nearly $100,000, and contains 4,000 reserved seats, besides boxes. The seats are upon a sloping scale, and there is not one which does not afford a full view of the stage. The prices range from 12 marks to 2 marks ($2.50 to 50 cents).

The theater is constructed of six iron arches, with a span 43 metres wide and 20 metres high, and it covers a space of 1,400 square metres. The auditorium is completely under shelter. The stage and proscenium remain, as before, quite open, and valley and sky form the background for the drama. In 1890 more than three-fourths of the auditorium was exposed to rain and sun, which materially interfered with the comfort of the spectators.

Five large openings on each side, which can be readily shut if the weather requires it, and five hung doors admit of a free circulation of air and a splendid scenic view from all parts of the auditorium. The staging is the same as was used in 1880. The only other decoration of the hall is an enormous arched painting across the back, one side of which shows the "Passion Play," crucifix scene as given in 1634, the other the grounds and Convent of Ettal as they probably appeared in 1730.

The outside of the theater is composed of frame and an extremely heavy canvas which gives the appearance of being stuccoed. The walls have been partially decorated. On the west side are four evangelists, with John the Baptist; on the east Christ and four apostles; above these and the two doors of the new addition are 12 paintings, representing scenes from the Old Testament.

On the front gable is "Hope, Faith and Charity," while the back gable contains a crucifix carved in wood, one and a half life size, with Mary and John painted on each side. On the back addition to the auditorium there are five carved figures, representing Moses, Pilate, Caiaphas and two prophets. All these figures are exquisite in design and finish and are the work of native carvers.

There are but thirty regularly scheduled days of performance, May 20, 27; June 4, 10, 16, 17, 24, 29; July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 25, 26; September 2, 8, 9, 16, 23, 30. In the event of a greater number of visitors arriving than can be seated on the day of performance the play will be repeated in precisely the same manner on the following day.