isa-normaladvance-1915-00063

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE63the characters. The decision on this point isone of personal interest, since it conveys a personal message to every home in Oberammergau,and every boy or girl may have a part in theplay. Only married women are excluded.Of the characters selected from among themen, three are eagerly sought for namely,Judas, John and The Christ, and among thewomen, Mary Magdalen and the Madonna.In 1900 Anton Lang was chosen to play thepart of the Christ, and because of the simpledignity with which he impersonated his DivineMaster, he was chosen again in 1910. He is aman of wonderful character, for since 1900 hehas been praised and honored in every way possible, but he still remains unspoiled, unchanged.His visitors find him at work in his shop, hishands soiled with dirt, and his beard red withthe potters clay.Alfred Bellinwer, the man who takes the partof the Apostle John, is so much in touch withthe spirit of the play, that when he speaks hisface lights up in such a manner that one almostfeels that it is the Apostle himself who is speaking.The part of Judas is admirably played byAlbert Zwink. At first he is represented as ashrewd, careful man, very much interested inbusiness affairs. Gradually, however, his interest in mercenary affairs checks his other interests, and after a little while he sells his Divine Master into captivity for a few pieces ofsilver. The unexpected consequences which follow—crucifixion and death—produce in himremorse, despair and suicide.Ottowa Zwink, the daughter of the man whoplays the part of the Judas, very aptly playsthe part of the Madonna, and Marie Mays, avery talented young girl, touchingly plays thepart of Mary Magdalen.The scenery of the play is very beautiful.Surrounded by the Alps it could not be otherwise, but in addition to this some very finepaintings are displayed, such as the house ofthe Roman governor, the house of Caphais andthe roads leading into Jerusalem. -The music was written by an Oberammergaumusic master, Rochus Dedler, and is in simpleharmony with everything around.The Passion Play itself opens with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and closes with theascension. As the curtain rises on this firstscene, men, women, and children are seen waving palms and shouting Hosanna as theChrist enters the city. Next follows the scenein the temple, and here is a very difficult partfor the Christ to play. One angry gesture, onehasty word would spoil the sublimity of thewhole occasion, but Anton Lang seems equalto it all. Slowly, he advances and pushes asidethe men engaged in mercenary affairs, his countenance showing grief rather than anger.The scene of the Last Supper is also a difficult one to represent. Here the prophecy isgiven that one of the disciples will betray hisMaster, and unless the character representingChrist is of a deeply religious nature, thesolemnity of the occasion would be lost.Next follow the scenes of the agony in thegarden, the entrance of the Roman soldiers, andthe conducting of the captive to the house ofPilate, the Roman governor. Here is one of themost interesting scenes of the whole drama.Pilate regards Jesus as an innocent dreamerand wishes to have him released. But the bloodthirsty mob will not listen, so to satisfy themhe brings forth another prisoner, Barrabas, anoted thief of the time. As was the custom, heasks them which of the two prisoners they wishto release. Astonishment is written on his facewhen they cry out, Release Barrabas. Hetries to reason with them, but in vain, and atlast he gives way, washing his hands of the whole affair.Next follows the realistic scenes of thescourging at the pillar, the crowning withthorns, the journey to Calvary and finally theclimax of the play, the crucifixion.As the curtain rises on this scene, the crossto which is fastened the crucified One is slowlyraised. The realism is terrible. Not a ligamentcan be seen by which he is supported, he seems
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34877
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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