Jesus' Play In Bavaria: Understanding The Performance

The Oberammergau Passion Play is a play about the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is performed once every decade by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany. The play originated in 1633 when the villagers of Oberammergau vowed to perform a play depicting the life and death of Jesus every ten years if God spared them from the bubonic plague. The Oberammergau Passion Play has been performed since 1634 and is considered the earliest continuous survivor of the age of Christian drama.

The play's history

The Oberammergau Passion Play is a play performed by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany. The play depicts the Passion of Christ, telling the story of Jesus' last days in Jerusalem, his trial, death, and resurrection. It is performed once every decade and involves over 2000 performers, all of whom are residents of the village.

The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play dates back to the 17th century, specifically the year 1633. During this time, the Black Death or bubonic plague swept across Europe, ravaging the village of Oberammergau. The death toll rose rapidly, and the villagers were desperate for a solution. In the midst of their plight, they made a pact with God, vowing to perform a play every ten years depicting the life, suffering, and death of Jesus if they were spared from the plague.

Miraculously, the deaths ceased, and the villagers kept their promise, staging the first performance of the Passion Play in 1634. The play was written and refined over the years with the help of the friars of Ettal Monastery and the oversight of the Catholic Church. It became a popular attraction, drawing hundreds and even thousands of viewers each year. By the end of the 18th century, the number of viewers had reached 11,000, and the play started to gain broad recognition.

Over time, the play faced some challenges and interruptions. In 1770, all passion plays in Bavaria were banned by the Ecclesiastical Council of the Elector, Maximillian Joseph, at the behest of the Catholic Church. However, in 1780, the play was retitled "The Old and New Testament" and approved for performance by the new Elector, Karl Theodore, after ensuring it was "purged of all objectionable and unseemly matter".

By 1830, the Catholic Church succeeded in halting the performance of all other passion plays in Bavaria, except for the one in Oberammergau. The play continued to grow in popularity, and in 1880, travel pioneer Thomas Cook recognized its tourism potential. He began promoting the play to English-speaking audiences, which led to a significant increase in visitors.

Today, the Oberammergau Passion Play is a world-renowned spectacle, attracting over 500,000 people from all around the world. The play is performed in an open-air theatre set against the stunning backdrop of the Bavarian Alps. It is a significant event for the village of Oberammergau, with more than half of the town's residents directly involved in putting on the play. The performers, all locals, dedicate themselves to their roles, which are taught to them from an early age.

The Oberammergau Passion Play is a unique tradition that combines faith, art, and community. It stands as a testament to the resilience and devotion of the villagers, who have kept their promise for centuries, sharing their story with audiences from across the globe.

The play's antisemitism

The Oberammergau Passion Play, performed in the Bavarian town of Oberammergau, has faced accusations of antisemitism, despite reform efforts. The play, which dates back to 1633, tells the story of the last five days before Christ's crucifixion and is performed once every ten years.

The play's antisemitic themes can be traced back to its origins. In the midst of the Thirty Years' War, the Black Death swept through Europe, and the residents of Oberammergau made a pact with God: spare us, and we will perform the Passion Play once a decade. This promise was made in 1633, and the first performance took place in 1634. The play was written and rewritten over the years with oversight from the Catholic Church, and it became a famous spectacle, attracting audiences from all over the world.

The Passion Play includes spoken dramatic text, musical and choral accompaniment, and tableaux vivants, which are scenes from the Old Testament depicted by motionless actors. These tableaux vivants form the basis for the typology of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments in the play. For example, the scene of King Ahasuerus rejecting Vashti in favour of Esther is presented as prefiguring Christianity superseding Judaism. This interpretation has been criticised as antisemitic, as it suggests that Judaism is inferior to Christianity and needs to be replaced.

Another example of antisemitism in the play can be found in the portrayal of Judas. In the play, Judas is presented as a negative figure who sells information on the location of Jesus, leading to his arrest and crucifixion. This portrayal contributes to negative stereotypes of Jews as treacherous and greedy, which has had harmful consequences in the real world.

While the directors of the play have made efforts to reform it, such as portraying Jesus as "relevant to today's world," the underlying antisemitic themes remain. This is due in part to the play's long history and tradition, as well as the influence of the Catholic Church, which has shaped the play since its inception.

Despite the criticisms, the Oberammergau Passion Play remains a popular and well-attended spectacle, with half a million people expected to attend the performances. However, it is essential to recognise and address the antisemitic themes within the play to ensure that it is presented in a respectful and sensitive manner.

The play's evolution

The Evolution of the Play

The Oberammergau Passion Play is a decennial performance depicting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is performed by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany. The play originated in 1633, during the Thirty Years' War, when the bubonic plague, or Black Death, swept through Europe and into Bavaria. The residents of Oberammergau made a pact with God, vowing to perform a play every ten years if they were spared from the effects of the plague. The death rate among adults had risen from one person in October 1632 to 20 individuals in March 1633. By July 1633, the adult death rate had slowly subsided to one per month. The villagers kept their promise, and the first performance took place in 1634.

Over the years, the play was written and rewritten with the oversight of the Catholic Church. It gained popularity and was seen by hundreds, and occasionally thousands, of people every year. In 1790, admission fees were introduced, and in 1870, the first tours associated with the play were organised. The play continued to evolve, and by the end of the 18th century, it had drawn a record audience of 11,000 in 1790.

In the 19th century, the play received broad reviews in the press, and notable figures such as the Crown Prince of Bavaria and the King of Saxony attended performances. The play's reputation continued to grow, and in 1880, it was seen by travel pioneer Thomas Cook, who recognised its tourism potential and began promoting it to English-speaking audiences. The railroad extension to nearby Murnau further increased its accessibility, and by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the play was attracting audiences of up to 100,000 people.

The play has faced some challenges and interruptions throughout its history. In 1770, all passion plays in Bavaria were banned by the Ecclesiastical Council of the Elector, Maximillian Joseph, at the behest of the Catholic Church. However, in 1780, the ban was lifted by the new Elector, Karl Theodore, who approved the performance on the condition that the play was "purged of all objectionable and unseemly matter". By 1840, the Catholic Church had succeeded in halting the performance of all other passion plays in Bavaria, and Oberammergau remained the sole exception.

The play has also faced postponements and cancellations due to war and epidemics. During both World Wars, the performances were disrupted, with postponements until 1922 and 1950, respectively. More recently, the 2020 performances were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and were eventually rescheduled for 2022.

Despite these challenges, the Oberammergau Passion Play has persevered and evolved over nearly four centuries. The current production dates to 1990, under the direction of Christian Stückl, a native of Oberammergau. Stückl has worked to address accusations of anti-Semitism and has reimagined the play through a pageant of "living pictures," aiming to portray Jesus as "relevant to today's world."

The play continues to be a significant part of the village's identity and economy, with about half of the town's residents directly involved in putting on the play. It attracts audiences from all over the world and has become a beloved tradition, withstanding the test of time and adapting to the changing social and cultural landscape.

The play's influence

The Oberammergau Passion Play, performed by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany, has had an extensive influence on Christian travellers and performers alike. The play, which recounts the Passion of Christ, has been staged approximately every ten years since 1634. Its origin story, steeped in tradition and folklore, is said to have begun in 1633 when the village was struck by the bubonic plague. The townspeople vowed to perform a play every ten years, depicting the life and death of Jesus, if God spared them from the disease.

The Oberammergau Passion Play has also influenced other art forms, such as woodworking and frescoes, which can be seen throughout the town. These art forms often depict religious themes related to the Passion story, such as statues of Jesus on the Cross. The play has become such an integral part of the town's identity and economy that it has been credited with shaping the culture and community of Oberammergau.

Lastly, the play's influence can be seen in its ability to withstand the test of time and overcome various challenges and interruptions. It has been performed for almost four centuries, surviving through wars, bans, and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisers' commitment to fulfilling their vow, despite the obstacles, showcases the resilience and enduring nature of the Oberammergau Passion Play.

The play's impact on the town

The Passion Play has had a profound impact on the town of Oberammergau, Bavaria, both culturally and economically. The play, which depicts the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, has been performed by the town's inhabitants every ten years since 1634. This tradition began when the town was ravaged by the bubonic plague, and its residents vowed to perform the play every decade if God spared them from the disease. This pledge has left an indelible mark on the town's identity and has become an integral part of its culture and heritage.

The play involves over 2,000 performers, all of whom are residents of Oberammergau, with more than half of the town's population directly involved in putting on the play. To perform in it, one must either be a native of the town or have lived there for at least 20 years. This requirement ensures that the community remains closely connected to the production and that the play is deeply rooted in the town's history and traditions.

The impact of the Passion Play extends beyond the performers, as the rest of the town's residents are engaged in supporting roles, such as working in the network of shops, restaurants, and hotels that accommodate the thousands of visitors who descend on the village during the play's run. The play attracts audiences from all around the world, with attendance numbers ranging from 420,000 to 530,000 in recent years. This influx of visitors has had a significant economic impact on the town, with visitors not only purchasing tickets but also contributing to the local economy through their patronage of local businesses.

The play's influence can be seen in the town's architecture and artwork, with many frescoes, religious statues, and depictions of Jesus on the Cross adorning the buildings and streets of Oberammergau. The town's focus on the play is evident, and it has become a central aspect of their community and a source of pride for its inhabitants. The Passion Play has put Oberammergau on the map, drawing tourists and pilgrims alike, all eager to witness this time-honoured tradition.

The play's postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 highlights its significance to the town. The delay had major ramifications for Oberammergau, affecting not only the performers and production crew but also the local businesses and residents who rely on the influx of visitors associated with the play. The postponement underscored the importance of the play to the town's economy and the strong connection the community has to this centuries-old tradition.

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