3-078-138 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Passion Play at Ober-Ammergau in Bavaria: Nathaniel (Sebastian Lang), 1890. Staging of Jesus' passion, that has been performed every 10 years from 1634 to 1674 and each decadal year since 1680 (with a few exceptions) by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. 'Perhaps one of the most interesting of the actors with whom I have conversed is Sebastian Lang, the personator of Nathaniel - a fine, sturdy, and indeed lovable man, with a face which a painter would select as a type of manliness. He occupies the house of his deceased uncle, the famous Pastor Daisenberger, to whom the dialogue of the present play owes so much. He showed me the room in which Daisenberger died. When asked whether the inrush of tourists would not vulgarise the play out of existence, or reduce it to the level of an ordinary dramatic company he expressed himself as perfectly convinced to the contrary... It was true, he admitted, that there had been a great expenditure upon theatre and dresses, but only because they were needed, and it was as yet uncertain whether there would not be an actual loss to the little village'. C. K. S. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.