Many have wondered that in so small a town there should be so many men
of striking personality. The reason for this is to be sought in the
operation of natural selection. In the ordinary German village, the
best men find no career. They go from home to the cities or to foreign
lands, in search of the work and influence not to be secured at home.
The strongest go, and the dull remain. All, this is reversed at
Oberammergau. Only the native citizen takes part in the play. Those
who are stupid or vicious are excluded from it. Not to take part in
the play is to have no reason for remaining in Oberammergau. To be
chosen for an important part is the highest honor the people know. So
the influences at work retain the best and exclude the others.
Moreover, the leading families of Oberammergau, the families of Zwink,
Lang, Rendl, Mayr, Lechner, Diemer, etc., are closely related by
intermarriage. These people are all of one blood--all of one great
family. This family is one of actors, serious, intelligent, devoted,
and all these virtues are turned to effect in their acting.
This work is that of a lifetime. Little boys and girls come on the
stage in the arms of the mothers--matrons of Jerusalem.
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