Although we all have our own little traditions, it is usually done on a family basis. Very rarely does the entire town get involved. But that’s exactly what happens at Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. Every ten years, the town comes together to put on a massive Passion Play. It involves over a thousand people.
How did this tradition begin? Oberammergau was suffering from the plague in 1633. The villagers pledged God to save Oberammergau by performing a Passion Play – the story of Jesus’ last days, death, and resurrection – every ten years. The plague died out from that point on. For the past 375 year, the villager have kept their promise.
To put on a show, it takes a village. Oberammergau is a village and participants must be either natives or have lived there for more than 20 years. About 2,500 of the 5,300 residents will participate in the production. They can be ushers, stagehands, musicians, or stage hands. Wigmakers are not allowed. On the Ash Wednesday of the year prior to the play, women begin to grow their hair out, while men start to grow their beards and hair.
Although the performers on stage and in orchestra aren’t professionals, they go through rigorous rehearsals and training. A 55-piece orchestra, for example, will begin weekly rehearsals about a year before the first performance. Actors and musicians can perform a professional-quality performance on their opening night.
In a specially-designed theater, the play is set against the backdrop of Ammergau Alps. In the mass scenes, up to 1000 actors are on the stage. However, the orchestra-sized audience and orchestra stay dry in case it rains. The theater can seat 4,700 people.
The 2010 Passion Play will feature performances that last from May 15th through October 3rd. The new production will feature a revised text, new stage designs, music, and new costumes. Oberammergau was visited by more than 150,000 Americans in 2000. For more information, please visit www.oberammergau-passion.com.
