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Ed Heinlein - German Consultant

Ed Heinlein: German Consultant
Teacher, Tutor, Translator

Passionsspiele in Oberammergau (Passion Plays)

(held every 10 years since 1633, last held in 2010)

Passion Play cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Production will be delayed until 2021.

  • What is the "Passionsspiel" (Passion Play)?
    • History of the play
    • About the play
      1. Only people in the village of Oberammergau can act in the play.
      2. People stay overnight with actors in the play.
      3. The play has a cast of some 2,500 and can feature 900 people onstage at once, and each performance is watched by around 4,500 people.
    • When does the "Passionsspiel" (Passion Play) take place?
      1. Today the play is performed by the people in the village every 10 years.
      2. One play is performed 103 days from May to October in an open-air stage, with an intermission of 3 hours for dinner.
      3. Part 1 will be from 2:30 pm to 5 pm, and part 2 from 8 pm to 10:30 pm.
      4. The play runs for approximately 5 or 5 and a-half hours, with an intermission of 3 hours.
  • Where does the "Passionsspiel" (Passion Play) take place?
    • Dorf (village) of Oberammergau in Bavaria
      1. History of Oberammergau
      2. Things to do in Oberammergau
    • Why should you go to Oberammergau?
      1. Holzschnitzerei (woodcarving)
      2. Freskogemäldehäuser (fresco painted houses)
      3. Passionsspiel (Passion Play)
  • When does the "Passionsspiel" (Passion Play) take place?
    • Next performance: from May to October, 2020
      1. "Oberammergau--- Passion Play 2020"
      2. "The 2020 Passionsspiele in Oberammergau"
    • Last performance: 2010
      1. "Behind the Passion: Back Stage at Oberammergau’s 41st Passion Play"
      2. "The Passion Plays of Oberammergau"
      3. "2010 is performance year for Bavarian town’s Passion Play"
      4. "A Traditional Play in Contemporary Garb"
      5. "2010 Passion Play Performance in Oberammergau"
    • Past performances: 1980, 1984, 1990, 2000, and 2010
      1. 1980-----"1980 Passion Play in Oberammergau"