Oberammergau Passion PlayThe charming Bavarian village of Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play which was first performed in 1634. In the middle of the 30 Years War, after months of suffering and death from the “Black Death,” or plague, surviving villagers swore an oath to perform a “Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years. The Play, originally made up of just actors from the village itself, has grown to stage production comprised of almost 2,000 performers, singers, musicians and stage technicians. The Play is performed in the 5,000 seat Passion Play Theatre with its open air stage. The following pilgrimages in 2010 will culminate in a once-in-a-decade opportunity to experience a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play. Registrations are filling quickly, so please contact us to secure your place. Pilgrimages to the Holy Lands culminating with the spectacular Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010:Departing Adelaide accompanied by Ken Anderson Departing Brisbane accompanied by Paul Mitchell Departing Melbourne accompanied by Richard Trist Departing Sydney accompanied by DJ Konz For independent travellers wishing to enjoy a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, we have developed a number of one and two-night packages including various accommodation, meals and seating options. Once the package is decided you can make your ticket request on this form.
Casting for the 41st Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 was decided by the Oberammergau municipal council, together with play management on April 17, 2009 and the passion vow of 1633 was renewed with an ecumenical service on April 18, 2009. Afterwards the cast was formally announced at a press conference in front of the 4,700-seat Passion Theater. Since 1634, Oberammergau has hosted the most famous passion play in the world. The origin of the passion play goes back to a vow made in 1633 by the citizens of Oberammergau to ward off the plague.The tradition, maintained and experienced for over 370 years, of putting on the play about the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every ten years, will be continued for the 41st time next year. The village at the edge of the Bavarian Alps in Germany expects approximately 500,000 visitors for the passion play, over half of which will be international guests.Rehearsals will begin this November. The premiere is scheduled for May 15, 2010, with 105 play dates to follow up through October 3, 2010.Over 2,500 local residents, 450 of which are children, have volunteered for the play, the most ever.All actors of the world's largest amateur dramatic performance come from the village, since a special play law is in effect. All participants, from actors playing the big speaking parts such as Jesus, Mary or Judas, through members of the choir, orchestra members, firemen and ushers, must have been born in Oberammergau or lived there for at least 20 years.For the third time, Oberammergau director and manager of the Munich Volkstheater Christian Stuckl will direct the 2010 Passion Play, in a tremendous collective achievement. |
