Actors prepare for the Passion Play
In real life, they are teachers, flight attendants, students, master joiners, psychologists, interior decorators or run restaurants. From May to October 2010, almost half of Oberammergau’s 5300 inhabitants will leave their everyday jobs behind and take on the roles of their lifetime when performing in the 41st Passion Play.
Without the dedication of the about 2400 lay actors – 140 of those are speaking roles – the Passion Play as a unique and inspirational theatrical event would not be possible every ten years. All of them were born in Oberammergau or have lived there for at least 20 years. For the duration of the rehearsal period, that has started last November, the performers spend almost their entire free time preparing for the performances. And unlike their highly paid professional colleagues who are up for Oscars next month they earn little more than the honour of becoming part of the Passion Play.
Since there are altogether 102 performances during the Passion Play period, two performers were cast for each of the 21 principal roles. Director Christian Stueckl puts his trust in a young cast for this year’s Passion Play with the 29-year-old Frederik Mayet as Jesus, the 22-year-old Barbara Dobner as Mary Magdalene and 22-year-old Maximilian Stoeger as Peter, for example. In spite their age, they are ‘old hands’ having already taken part in the Oberammergau Passion Play as children.
Frederik Mayet, who is also press officer of the 2010 Passion Play and the ‘Volkstheater’ in Munich, played Jesus’ favourite disciple John ten years ago and stresses the importance of the team work involved in the Passion Play: “All this is only possible as a huge community effort. The spirit and dedication of everyone involved is simply amazing and rehearsals are going very well”.
The Passion Play team is rewarded by the worldwide popularity of the event which attracts around 500.000 visitors from all around the globe. In 2000, 40.000 British spectators attended the Passion Play and travelled to Oberammergau.
The Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 will take place five times a week between 15 May and
3 October 2010. For the first time ever, performances will start in the afternoon at 2.30 p.m. and last until approximately 10.30 pm including a three-hour break for dinner.
For information on how to attend the Passion Play 2010 from the UK visit: oberammergau-passion.com
In addition to many UK tour operators offering coach tours there are now also 1 and 2 night packages available to travelers who like to arrange their own travel.
