OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY
15th May / 3rd October 2010

A play of life and death, promised in a moment of mortal threat - so began the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1633. In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of suffering and death from the bubonic plague, the people of the small German town of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, swore an oath that they would perform the "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years if they were spared. Miraculously, from that point on all the villagers survived the plague and at Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time on a stage erected in the cemetery above the graves of the plague victims. Forty years later they decided to change the date of the next performance to fall at the end of a decade.  The only time it has not been performed was during World War II.  In the year 2010, the Community of Oberammergau will perform the Passion Play for the 41st time.
The entire cast consists of villagers who have lived in Oberammergau for at least 20 years. They must be amateurs and people of high moral and ethical principles. Villagers also make the outstanding costumes. As no wigs are used, participants must grow their hair and beards for several months prior to the performances, beginning on Ash Wednesday 2009 according to the "Hair Decree."

By glorifying the Lord for saving their village during the plague, they are fulfilling Psalm 145:4-6 "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds."

Tickets for the 2010 performances in the 4,720-seat theatre are selling out quickly.  They come in two versions:  a “package” including accommodation and some additional visits and “individual” tickets intended for people living within a short distance and able to get there just for the day.  Further details can be found at www.passionplay-oberammergau.com or on one of the wealth of travel agency sites offering inclusive tours.
10.7.09.