Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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10 THE BEANKSOME SLOGAN. the Master, the feeling of remorse conveyed to the audience is so intense that one feels for the time that it is Judas himself, and not Johann Zwink, who speaks. Ottilie Zwink, his daughter, takes the part of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and although not much is required of her, yet does that small part beautifully. One of the most impres- sive moments of the play is when Christ bids her farewell before entering upon His ministry. During the morning session the seven acts which lead up to the arrest of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane are given, the latter being one of the most realistic scenes of all. Christ chooses Peter, James and John from among His beloved disciples to watch with Him while He prays, but even these faithful ones succumb to drowsy sleep, and forget their Master. Perceiving their weakness Christ again beseeches them to watch, and once more tseeks communion with Go d. An angel appears Avith words of comfort to strengthen Him in this His darkest hour. Suddenly a noise is heard close at hand, and Christ, turning to His sleeping friends, tells them of the approach of the betrayer. They awaken to the awful realization that already their beloved friend is surrounded by His enemies. Christ is then bound and cruelly brought to the judgment hall of Annas. From twelve until two an intermission is given for rest and lun- cheon. There was even a deeper eagerness upon the faces of the on- lookers as they took their seats to witness the closing scenes of the play. The eighth act opens with the scene in the Palace of Annas, who weakens before Christ and postpones judgment. Angered by this delay the people roughly le-ad Christ before Caiaphas, hoping to receive from him the sentence of death upon their silent prisoner, who patiently bears the hateful mockings of the soldiers about Him. Caiaphas decrees that Jesus must die, but has not the power to pro- nounce the death sentence and orders Christ to be taken before Pilate, the Eoman Governor. Outside, Judas, who has heard this, realizes the awfulness of such a sentence upon an innocent man whom, for the gain of thirty pieces of silver, he has so shamefully betrayed. Hurrying before the High Priest, he begs Christ ' s release, pleads His innocence: but seeing it is too late for mercy he dashes the money ba upon the floor and, with an oath of remorse, leaves his unre- lenting friends to carry out the awful deed. Then Judas, too weak to bear this terrible load of guilt, with loud curses upon himself, ends his remorse by taking his own life. Meanwhile, the hostile enemies, now at the height of their anger, gather before the house of Pilate. Finding the accused a Galilean, Pilate demands that He be judged by Herod, King of Galilee. Herod,

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THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN. 9 of the play. The stage is almost entirely in the open, and until recently, I believe, even the audience were unprotected from all con- ditions of weather. Needless to say, the performers have to undergo many hardships, but to close in the stage in any way would detract greatly from the whole effect, as the surrounding mountains and valleys and blue ' sky form the chief parts of tlie scenery. In the centre of the main stage is a second stage with a curtain, upon which are splendid paintings of Moses, Jeremiah and Isaiah. On the pediment above is a fresco representing Christ comforting the poor and neefly ones gathered about Him. At either side of this stage are repre- sented two streets of Jerusalem, Pilate ' s house standing on the left, and that of Annas, the High Priest, on the right. AVhen, at precisely eight o ' clock, the first strains of the beautiful overture were heard, there was a tense silence througliout the vast auditorium, the people leaning forward with eager faces. The music was written by the schoolmaster of the village, and is in perfect keep- ing with the solemn and sacred scenes of the play. At the conclusion of the overture a chorus of about thirt} men and women take their places upon the stage. They are simply dresised in long white tunics, over which are draped mantles of various shades. Before and after each of the twenty-four tableaux and eighteen acts this chorus appears to explain by song and prologue the following scene. The tableaux form a great part of the play, representing, as they do, scenes from the Old Testament prophetic of events in the life of Christ. The control of body and mind which was displayed by the men and women, and even the little children, was simply marvellous, it being impossible to note the slightest tremor of a muscle. The first one represents the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and the second the Ador-ation of the Cross. The first act follows these, the opening of which is the entry into Jerusalem. This is the most beautiful scene of the play, as the huge throng of men, w omen and children are clad in various shades of costumes, waving palms, and singing loud hosannas. In the midst of this dense throng Christ is seen entering the city on an ass. Dismounting, He enters the Temple, and with stern reproof drives the money changers from their sinful occupations, thus bringing upon Himself the hateful revenge of these lustful men who have been so unexpectedly dispersed. The part of Christ is taken by Anton Lang, who is capable in every way of filling such a sacred task with dignity and deep reverence. No doubt the heaviest part in the play is that of Judas Iscariot, and as portrayed by Johann Zwink could not be improved upon, dramatically or otlierwise. In the scene where he realizes his cowardly betrayal of

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THE BEANKSOME SLOGAN. 11 however, only mocks Christ, and refuses to take any part in the trial, saying that Pilate has power to condemn this man to death. Pilate, facing the angry mob once more, pleads Christ s innocence, harshly rebuking the priests for their baseless accusations. Turning to the people he asks which shall be released unto them, Christ or Barabbas, and with one voice they answer, Release Barabbas ! Seeing all his efforts to save Christ are in vain, Pilate, weakening before the clamor- ing mob, finally pronounces the sentence of death upon Christ, and orders the release of the robber. Then, breaking his sceptre and washing his hands, thus thinking to rid himself of this ignoble deed, he exclaims, I am innocent of the blood of this innocent man. It falls upon you and upon your children. With loud rejoicings the people receive this final word, and press eagerly on to finish the awful task they have taken upon themselves. Placing the heavy cross upon Christ, they urge Him on and on with cruel taunts and blows, until, utterly helpless. He falls beneath His burden. Just at this moment Mary, who has been seeking her Son everywhere, approaches with John and Magdalene. How pathetic is the scene as she recognizes Him, and realizes that He is to be so cruelly taken from her ! Finally, John, who has ever been her friend, persuades her to turn away, saying, It is the Father ' s will. ' ' But she cannot leave her Son to suffer alone, and, keeping at a safe dis- tance from the angry crowd, she and her companions are seen follow- ing Him to Golgotha. oThe soldiers, perceiving Christ ' s weakness, call upon Simon of. Cyrene, who is standing near, to bear the cross to the appointed place. In the meantime loving friends have gathered about Christ, who, as He leaves them, speaks comforting words as he sees the depth of their sorrow. Soon He is nailed upon the cross, with the two thieves on either side, the one rejecting Him, the other penitent of his sins, and receiving from Christ the promise of Heaven. Suddenly a crash- ing sound of stone and earth is heard, and Christ murmurs, It is finished ! Many, seeing in this sudden convulsion of nature the power of God, cry out for mercy, while others hasten to the Temple. Left alone with their Saviour, Mary and her companions kneel in adoration before Him, and then silently Joseph, Nicodemus and John lower the body from the cross. In her deep sorrow the mother holds her Son in a last embrace, and then He is taken from her and rever- ently laid in the tomb. Should the play end here, how gloomy would be the effect upon those who witness it. The soldiers who have been left to guard the tomb have fallen asleep on the third night of their watch, but as