The Passion Play at Oberammergau 2010

The Bavarian village of Oberammergau.

This summer marks the 41st season of the world's largest open-air theatrical performance of the story of Jesus of Nazareth at Oberammergau/Germany. The historic European play lasts five hours with a three-hour intermission for dinner, starting with Jesus entering Jerusalem and finishing with his resurrection. Nestled in the Alps of southern Germany, the traditional Bavarian village of Oberammergau first staged the passion play in 1634.

It was during the Thirty Years War that the deadly and contagious disease known as the Black Plague broke out in Europe. Before it ran its course, one out of three people were dead and untold misery remained. There was no chance to escape, but one town in the south of Germany escaped: Oberammergau. The townspeople of Oberammergau made a vow that if they were spared, they would give a play about the "Passion of Christ" every ten years. The fact that they were saved remains one of the most amazing mysteries in history. The first Passion Play took place in a meadow in 1634 with the parts played by local villagers. The tradition remains to this day, with all of the roles played by locals who must be of high ethical and moral standards who start growing hair and beards and sewing costumes years before the performance. Being part of this spectacular performance is a great honor to all.

Since then, the production has been held every decade in a year ending in zero. Half of Oberammergau's inhabitants will take part in the Oberammergau Passion Play 2010, more than 2,000 villagers.

Details: The production is staged five times a week in a 4,700-seat theatre from the beginning of May until the end of September 2010. For more information, visit www.oberammergautours.com

Oberammergau's Passion Play: Still Passionate After 375 Years

Every 10 years, more than 2,000 people from the Bavarian village of Oberammergau get involved in a centuries-old Biblical play. Paul Wade investigates.

From The Telegraph
By Paul Wade

"Jesus is my best friend. We once shared a room in Jerusalem," Carsten Lück says with a grin. His thick head of hair, moustache and beard give him a Biblical look – and so it should. Lück is one of 1,000 actors preparing for the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play. "Judas has the most demanding part. I try to show that he really was Jesus's best friend before betraying him."

In real life, Lück is good friends with "Jesus"; after all, they grew up together in this village, an hour south of Munich. As I stroll down the main street, cast members are easy to spot as they go about their everyday jobs: bearded waiters and postmen, mustachioed shopkeepers and hoteliers. No wigs or false beards are worn on stage, so men start growing their hair 15 months before opening night. Policemen have special dispensation to abandon their "clean shaven" rule. After all, as I am told, the Passion Play is older than the constabulary.

Oberammergau's Passion Play was first performed in 1634. Threatened by the plague, the villagers vowed to put on a play about the "Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every 10 years. They survived and have kept their promise ever since.

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