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Show Black Wk Passion Piay Enjoys Historical Of Seven Centuries Salt Lake Cit The Black' Hills Passion Play, which o-pened o-pened in Salt Lake City's Kingsbury Kings-bury Hall Jan. 15. and which will run until Jan. 24, has had the "longest run" of any play in thc world's history. For over 700 years now, thc play has been continuously produced. pro-duced. It was first presented at Luenen, Gcrmanv, during the middle ages, 1242 A. D. to be exact, by monks. I Since that time, the play has developed into one of the finest, most polished performances on the world's stage. During the Rennaisancc, a troupe of professional pro-fessional actors began putting on the play, and the same troupe's descendants are acting in it today. Part of thc tremendous success suc-cess which the play has met in most American cities is due to the personality and acting ability abil-ity of the play's leading actor Josef Meier. However, that isn't the entire story of its success. The whole troupe is made up of well grounded actors and actresses ac-tresses who live for nothing but their roles. Mr. Meier first began playing in theatrical performances at thc age of 10 months, and since that time has been continuously at it. He first took minor and "bit" parts, then moved up with more and more important roles until he now plays the part of "The Christus," lead role in the nlay The entire trouoe is made up of such men as Mr. Meier For Instance, August Randall, who plays the part of Simon Peter, one of Christ's disciples, has been acting in the Passion Play ' for 50 years. He loo worked his way up through the minor roles until he now has an important one. The play moved from Luenen, Germany, in 1932 when persecution perse-cution and hatred began to mount in the world. It came to America and in 1938 made its permanent home in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The play is bcirg-brought to Utah by the Salt Lake City Lions club. Proceeds from the play are going towards the various var-ious charities in which the Lions are interested. 'jy ' ' ' . ' Josef Meier as The Christus |