Bucket list theatre
Passionate about theatre? Then experience a once-in-a-decade performance of Jesus’s trial and crucifixion in Oberammergau in Germany
Christian communities around the world mark Easter by performing passion plays – a reenactment of the biblical story of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey and his trial, crucifixion and resurrection in the days that followed.
Oberammergau’s Passion Play takes place from Saturday 14th May to Sunday 2nd October 2022 in the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany. Its 12 scenes take place in two parts, each of which are two-and-a-half-hours long, with a three-hour break in between. But its length isn’t the only factor that makes the performance exceptional.
The history of Oberammergau’s Passion Play
Oberammergau’s Passion Play dates back to 1633, when villagers were suffering from the Thirty Years War and a plague. They vowed to perform a play in an effort to banish the disease.
The first edition took place in 1634, on a stage erected over the graves of plague victims. It has been performed about once a decade ever since.
By the 18th century, word had spread and people were flocking from across Germany to see the spectacle.
Today, people attend from all around the world. The 2022 edition – postponed from 2020 because of the pandemic – is the 42nd of its kind. It will be directed by local director Christian Stückl – who also directed the play in 1990, 2000 and 2010.
In the few days before the opening night, “there is a certain tension everywhere,” says Barbara Schuster, who plays Mary Magdalene. “It’s not exaggerated, but as it should be. The restaurants and hotels are all preparing for the rush of visitors and the shops are filled with souvenirs from Oberammergau. For the actors, of course, the excitement is felt as we rehearse almost to the last moment, polishing everything.”
The open-air performance takes place in an auditorium that dates back to 1898, on a stage built in 1928.
The theatre was renovated in 2000 and features sets designed by Stefan Hageneier, who’s also behind the show’s 1,500 handmade costumes.
Today the venue has capacity for 4,400 seats, which are sheltered from the elements by a roof.
The people
Since the 17th century, only native Oberammergauers or residents who’ve lived in the town for more than 20 years can take part in the play.
Around 2,100 performers – nearly half of the town – are preparing to take part this year, 500 of whom are children.
It’s an all-hands-on-deck affair, with a 121-strong choir and 55 instrumentalists in the orchestra pit performing music by Rochus Dedler from 1820 directed by Markus Zwink.
As well as 20 lead roles and 120 other speaking parts, extras perform as priests, Roman soldiers and temple guards – all of whom have been growing their hair and beards since February 2021.
When they’re not reenacting biblical scenes, the stars’ day jobs vary from being Passion Play’s press officer to a geologist, psychologist and wood sculptor.
The key stars
Each of the lead roles is performed by two people, most of whom have performed in previous editions.
This year, Jesus is played by Rochus Rückel and Frederik Mayet, who has previously played the role.
Benedikt Geisenhof and Martin Güntner will play Peter, with Anton Preisinger Junior and Christoph Stöger sharing the character of John. Judas will be played by Cengiz Görür and Martin Schuster.
Eva Reiser will star as Mary alongside Andrea Hecht, who’s played the leading female role twice before as well as that of Mary Magdalene.
Andrea says, “I approach the [character of Mary] through her human aspects. I empathise with her motherly concerns; her motherly love is unconditional. I see her as one of Jesus’s greatest supporters, a woman who, through her faith, has the strength to stay with him until his death.”
Barbara adds, “My favourite scene in 2010 was definitely the resurrection one – Magdalene announces the positive message at the end of the performance and bids farewell to 5,000 audience members with this feeling. After the last sentence in her monologue the choir and orchestra perform the last song, Halleluja, he is risen. It’s very moving, and in our village it gets right under your skin.”
Just an hour’s drive from Oberammergau, The Charles Hotel in Munich is the perfect base in which to experience the play. Alternatively, base yourself at Hotel de Rome in Berlin.