From the S&S archives: McCloy, Robertson among dignitaries viewing Oberammergau premiere

(Click here to view photos of Oberammergau and the Passion Play.)

OBERAMMERGAU — The first postwar performance of the fanned Oberammergau Passion Play opened here today when Alois Lang chanted from the great outdoor stage:

"Welcome to all whom here the tender love of the Saviour unite."

More than 5,600 persons from all parts of the world, including High Commissioner John J. McCloy; Gen Sir Brian Robertson, British High Commissioner; West German President Theodor Heuss and their wives, and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and his daughter, thronged the great semi-open-air theater to witness the "Passion of Our Lord," presented by 1,600 actors and actresses drawn from the residents of this Bavarian mountain village.

Under threatening skies today, after a lapse of 16 years, the men and women of Oberammergau renewed their pledge first made in 1633 to present the story of Christ's martyrdom.

The nearly eight-hour performance has been given every decade since 1634 with but three exceptions since the village council pledged the re-enactment of the Bible story in an effort to drive away the bubonic plague, which took a toll of 84 lives in Oberammergau in 1632-33.

The play details the life of Christ from the time he drives the money changers from the temple to the Resurrection.

An unexpected burst of sunshine, suddenly lighting the stage, brought a dramatic highlight to the presentation. As Simon recognized the Saviour and, rushing to assist him in carrying the cross, exclaimed, "It is the holy man of Nazareth," the dark clouds that hung over the stage throughout the day suddenly parted to permit a flood of sunlight to fall on the cross-laden Christ.

Unknown to most of the audience, this year also marked the first appearance of an American resident of Oberammergau in the holy drama.

Little red-headed Johnny McMahon, 6, son of the executive officer of the MP detachment at the USAREUR Intelligence School here, joined his German classmates of the local grammar school to play the part of children called for in the script.

Johnny, who said he was "thrilled to death," is, according to his father. Maj John A. McMahon, of Boise, Ida., the only American child attending a German school in the village and is the first American of any age to take part in the play.

The streets of Oberammergau last night were jammed with visitors from all parts of Germany and most countries of the world.

Official guests included the consuls and consul-generals from all countries accredited to Bonn except Yugoslavia and Israel.

Indian Minister Khub Chand was among the distinguished guests to witness the opening performance.

Fifteen U.S. military policemen, of the 521st MP Sv Plat at Garmisch, commander by Maj Allen C. Schuler, and nearly 100 specially trained German policemen, acting with outstanding courtesy and efficiency, kept thousands of cars flowing smoothly through the narrow streets of the town.

Gaily decorated and brilliantly illuminated shops and restaurants sharply pointed up the postwar recovery of Western Germany.

Playing the leading role of Jesus Christ this year is Anton Preisinger, 37, a tall, round-faced man whose soft, kindly, performance — according to Informed observers — contrasted sharply with that of Alois Lang, the Christ of several prewar presentations.

Lang. who had joined the Nazi Party, was barred this. year from the rule of the martyr but lent his magnificent baritone voice to the speaking of the prologue and to the vocal description of the 20 tableau scenes from the Bible which punctuate the three-part drama.

The role of the Virgin Mary is played this year by beautiful 19-year-old Annemarie Mayr, who, despite. her youth, gave an entirely convincing performance as the mother of Christ.

The vast splendor of the pageant, played on an open-air stage before a roped-in auditorium, in several scenes calls for more than 800 persons to appear on the stage at the same time.

A 50-piece orchestra provided the musical accompaniment during the choral rendition of Rochus Dedler's music; composed for the play in 1815

The play will be presented 33 times until Sept. 24. Extra performances may be scheduled in answer to popular demand, it was announced.