The world-famous Passion Play at Oberammergau has undergone a complete change this year, writes the correspondent of the Danish newspaper “Berlingske Tidende,” who is now in Oberammergau.
Jesus and Judas are being played this year in a spirit which is in keeping with that of the New Germany, he declares. Christ had, until now, been played by Anton. Lang as long-suffering, tolerant, enduring, turning the other cheek to the smiter. The new Christ, played by his kinsman, Aloys Lang, is a militant spirit. He suffers and endures, too, but he makes it apparent that he does so deliberately, because he is aware of his coming triumph.
When Christ appears before Pontius Pilate, he stands there defiant, proud, scornful, like one who knows that the victory is his.
Anton Land was Stresemann’s Germany, suffering and yielding, Aloys Lang is Hitler’s Germany, determined, nationally roused, sure of victory.
On the other hand, Judas, played by Hans Zwink, is portrayed as a shrewd, critical, sceptical spirit, scoffing at all things, respectful only o money, who betrays Christ because it no longer pays to serve him. Zwink’s Judas is almost a modern Communist, according to Nazi concepts, the correspondent points out.
And in these anti-Semitic times, he says, the anti-Semitic intent almost jumps at you. Zwink has made Judas the personification of all that is evil and despicable in mankind, and puts it forward as a symbol of the Jewish people.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
