ECUMENISM

Ten-yearly Passion Play continues 377-year-old tradition

OBERAMMERGAU (Bavaria, Germany) – In 1633, a German village vowed to put on a play about Jesus every 10 years if God rid it of the plague.  On May 15 this year, the inhabitants of Oberammergau made good on that promise once again.

The 2010 version of the “Passion Play” keeps alive the tradition that only those born in the Bavarian village, resident for 20 years, or married to a villager for 10 years, can take part.

More than 2,000 of the village’s 5,200 inhabitants act, sing, play in the orchestra, or work backstage. This means that once a decade, for about a year, normal life in Oberammergau is suspended.

Organisers hope to match the 500,000 visitor-mark set in 2000, although the recession is affecting the ticket sales.

To add some biblical authencity for the five-and-a-half hour play, which plays five times a week until Oct 3, many of the men grow beards and long hair.

With many village inhabitants involved, people are forced to take time out of their day jobs for rehearsals, which began last November. One actress playing Mary Magdalene is an airline stewardess, while another Mary, Jesus’ mother, works in a village gift shop.

The play begins with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, covers His betrayal by Judas Iscariot, His trial by Jewish elders, His crucifixion and resurrection, all in a purpose-built theatre partly open to the elements.

The action, in German and some Hebrew, is complemented by a 50-strong choir, all in white robes, and by “tableaux vivants” – scenes from the Old Testament with actors remaining completely static –accompanied by music.

Except for Christian Stueckl, 48, who is the Director of Munich Volkstheater and Oberammergau-born and bred, hardly any professionals are involved. – CNS.