Editing Passion Play (section)

===Simplicity of scenery, dialogue, action, and costumes===
The [[Theatrical scenery|scenery]] was the background of old-time middle east. There were no side [[scene (fiction)|scenes]], and consequently no stage perspective. Since an illusion of reality could not be had, indications were made to suffice. Thus a cask standing on end represents the mountain on which Christ is tempted by the Devil; [[thunder]] is imitated by the report of a gun; in order to signify that the Devil had [[Demonic possession|entered into him]], [[Judas Iscariot|Judas]] holds a bird of black plumage before his mouth and makes it flutter. The suicide of Judas is an execution, in which [[Beelzebub]] performs the hangman's duty. He precedes the culprit up the ladder and draws Judas after him by a [[rope]]. Judas has a black bird and the [[intestines]] of an animal concealed in the front of his clothing, and when Satan tears open the garment the bird flies away, and the intestines fall out, whereupon Judas and his executioner slide down into Hell on a rope. A [[painting|painted picture]] representing the [[Soul (spirit)|soul]], is hung from the mouth of each of the two [[thief|thieves]] on the cross; an [[angel]] takes the soul of the [[penitent]], the devil that of the impenitent thief. Everything is presented in the concrete, just as the [[imagination]] of the audience pictures it, and the scenic conditions, resembling those of the antique theatre demand. All [[costume]], however, is contemporary, historical accuracy being ignored.