OBERAMMERGAU, THE PASSION PLAY
OBERAMMERGAU, THE PASSION PLAY, A CENTURIES OLD TRADITION!
It’s a centuries-old tradition: Casting for the renowned Passion Play in Oberammergau in Bavaria has begun. The Christian spectacle recreates the last five days of Jesus. The premiere is in May 2020, making it one of the hottest tickets in travel right now!
BACKGROUND TO THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY
The Oberammergau Passion Play, first started in 1632, when the Plague was sweeping through Europe and advanced to this small town in Bavaria, Germany. So it’s town people, looking to end the plague, made a vow with God to perform a Passion Play every ten years if doing so would spare their village of this dreadful scourge. Following this appeal to above, from that time on, there were no further deaths in the village and since then the Passion Play has been regularly performed at Oberammergau, becoming especially popular for visitors in the last century. Watch the trailer for the 2020 play.
IT’S AN ALL-OUT COMMUNITY EFFORT
The community-engrossing effort, that goes into this once in a decade only performance, is what makes this amazing world-renowned show different from any other. The Oberammergau Passion Play is an incredible local venture as all the Performers are culled from local ‘talent’, to take part you must have been born in the town or have lived there for 20 years.
Participation in this breathtaking spectacle has been passed on from generation to generation. Watch this video detailing the preparations for the 2010 performance.
Tradition dictates that the play’s cast of thousands is drawn from all walks of life from within the village. The coveted role of Christ could be the village postman, butcher or school teacher. The cast spend almost two years painstakingly rehearsing every detail of the story for a once only performance of a lifetime. Watch this informative video detailing the community effort that went into the 2010 production.
They play small roles or are in the choir or the orchestra at the theater, which was built especially for this purpose. For more insight into this lifetime community project, read this article, In Oberammergau, all the town’s a stage. A total of 103 performance days are planned from May 16 to October 4, 2020. Some 500,000 visitors are expected.
THE PASSION PLAY THEATRE AND ITS PERFORMANCE
he Oberammergau Passion Play is performed in a large, modern, purpose built theatre that seats 4500 people, although the seating is elevated for better viewing, we recommend to sit in the front have, to see more detail of the performance.
The Passion Play is truly an amazing spectacle, and, regardless of spiritual bent, is not to be missed .The dialogue, in German, (a textbook comes out with every play, including an English translation). is interspersed by music and singing from a choir and the orchestra, often with a background of living tableaux with scenes from the bible, making a colourful picture behind the choir who were dressed in long white robes.
The other unique element was created by the crowd scenes involving all ages including children and babes in arms as well as the occasional sheep, donkey, and even a small camel. At times there will be as many as 200 people on stage at one time, all acting their hearts out.
IMPORTANT UPDATE – VIKING ADDS ADDITIONAL SAIL DATES!
Great news: Viking River Cruise lines adds additional sail dates, so you don’t have to wait another decade to view this amazing spectacle. But hurry, these limited sailings are guaranteed to sell out fast!
To receive up to $500 pp in non-cash amenities and a chance to see Oberammergau in 2020 call Ted now at 954-290-8626, email hello@cruisinwithted.com.
Click here to view available Oberammergau sail dates and pricing information.
Some Interesting Facts About the Oberammergau Passion Play
- To be in the play, you must be a resident of Oberammergau.
- Over 2,000 citizens are involved including acting, singing, musicians and technical support.
- There are 124 speaking roles, a 65-member orchestra, 48 person chorus and hundreds of people involved in the back end including stagehands, seamstresses, firemen, auditorium attendants and more.
- Men grow out their hair and beards to make the look authentic to the time. Costumes are hand made.
- The play is held May through late September or early October. During these months, the play is performed 5 days per week in an open-air theater which seats about 4,700 people. The performance begins at 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is then a dinner break, and the play resumes from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- The play is performed in German, but it doesn’t seem to stop people from all over the world, including those that are not of religious backgrounds that are intrigued by the way the town comes together to perform this play. It is anticipated over 750,000 will attend in 2020
For more information on this amazing historical play, read the book, Oberammergau,The Troubling Story of the World’s Most Famous Passion Play By JAMES SHAPIRO Get this book on Amazon.
TED’S TIPS ON VISITING OBERAMMERGAU
Oberammergau is a picturesque little town tucked into Upper Bavaria in the regional administration district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The town has a population of just a little above 5,000.
The town is very quaint, and the backdrop of the snow covered mountains makes it an amazing place for photos. The streets are lined with quaint shops offering cuckoo clocks, Christian carvings, mugs, stained glass, wool sweaters, wooden toys and other unique gifts. Many houses are decorated with wall paintings called Luftlmalerei.
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Here are our suggestions for things to see and do while you are in the Oberammergau region.
Visit the Oberammergau Museum
This museum, along with its affordable guided tours, is a great place to learn more about the history of the region. You can see various costumes on exhibit from the 19th and early 19th century. There are also rooms dedicated to wooden toys and games that were hand carved in the early 1900’s.
Discover The Most Important Woodcarving Center in Germany
The Bavarian village Oberammergau is most famous for its religious dramas, but it also has another long-time artistic custom: wood-carving. The tradition, however, is facing extinction. Watch this video, Oberammergau Wood Carving Centre at Pilatushaus.
Visit Linderhof Castle
Of all the three castles, King Ludwig II had built, Linderhof is the only one which was finished and perhaps resembles his visions of “Bavarian Versailles” and Wagner’s operas most. This was the castle in which he spent the most time in. Learn about the legacy of the king from an expert guide and enjoy free time to explore the castle and its surrounding park at leisure. This castle is just a 15 minute drive from the village of Oberammergau. Click here for more information on how to visit this architectural wonder.
Visit Laber
Take the Laber cable car up for great views and walk down if you enjoy hiking. Great view down to Oberammergau and the surrounding mountains. There is a café at the top of the mountain (cash only). Click here to learn more about the Laber Cable Car
IMPORTANT UPDATE – VIKING ADDS ADDITIONAL SAIL DATES!
Great news: Viking River Cruise lines adds additional sail dates, so you don’t have to wait another decade to view this amazing spectacle. But hurry, these limited sailings are guaranteed to sell out fast!
To receive up to $500 pp in non-cash amenities and a chance to see Oberammergau in 2020 call Ted now at 954-290-8626, email hello@cruisinwithted.com.
Click here to view available Oberammergau sail dates and pricing information.
Contact CruisinWithTed.com/contact, at 954-290-8626 or email hello@cruisinwithted.com, Facebook message Ted and receive excellent guidance and extra perks on new and existing travel reservations.
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