The Passion Theatre
The first Passion Play was performed on a rough stage built in the graveyard
above those who died in the plague. Today's theatre was first constructed for the 1890 production,
with the arched auditorium cover added 10 years later. Complex technical machinery was introduced to create the
illusion of clouds, thunder & lightening, angels' wings, etc.
The theatre was extensively refurbished for the year 2000 Millennium production.
Logistically, the modern Passion Play is a truly awesome event. In the year 2000
the auditorium, which seats 4,800 people, was filled to capacity for each of the 110 performances. More than
half a million people came to see 'the greatest story ever told'.
The production statistics are equally impressive. Involvement is restricted to residents of
Oberammergau, with nearly half the population of 4000 people involved in some way, either as actors,
musicians, chorus, or back-stage staff.
Each of the key roles is played by two actors or actresses for the duration of the production. In addition there are nearly
1000 'extras', ranging from babes-in-arms to people in their nineties. None of the male actors are allowed to shave
or have a hair-cut from Shrove Tuesday of the previous year until the end of the production, so the Oberammergau police force
is the only one in the country where the officers are officially allowed to wear full-length beards whilst on duty.
