Oberammergau Passion Play a tradition that endures

In 2010, the play involves about half the village’s 5,000 inhabitants. From directors to musicians, carpenters to seamstresses, and over 1,000 performers on stage, every one of them meets the requirements of being born in Oberammergau, or having lived there for at least 20 years. Even the donkeys, sheep, goats, horses, alpaca and camel you’ll see onstage come from farms in the valley.

“Most of us are working while we’re also putting on a five-hour-long play, five days a week, and it can get crazy at times,” says Huber, pointing out that one reason his renovations aren’t finished yet is his electrician has to keep leaving the job to do lighting for the play.

I’m told Jesus is a psychologist and Herod doubles as a dentist. My charismatic host is also pivotal to the 2010 Passion Play — deputy director, dramatic adviser and playwright, as well as one of the two speakers of the Prologue on stage.

“Members of the cast joke that I have been around for the last 15 editions of the play,” laughs Huber, his warm smile wise, and melodic voice soothing. It’s bit like sharing wine with a modern-day Moses. “I was not here in 1634, but at least two members of my mother’s family died from the Black Death back then.”

It’s a rigorous schedule for the cast and crew, but as Otto points out, this Bavarian village of survivors knows how to face challenges. “The man who played Jesus in 1990 and 2000 is a

Article source: https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2010/05/27/oberammergau_passion_play_a_tradition_that_endures.html