- Press Conference to Announce Actors and Renewal of Vows on April 18, 2009 in the Passion Theater Oberammergau.
OBERAMMERGAU, Germany, March 16 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --
- Cross reference: Picture is distributed via EPA (European Pressphoto Agency) and can be downloaded free of charge at: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/74828?keygroup=bild
Since 1634, the most famous passion play in the world has taken place in Oberammergau. The Oberammergau municipal council, together with play management, will make a final decision on casting of the 2010 Passion Play on the night of April 17, 2009, in a meeting closed to the public. The passion vow of 1633 will be renewed with an ecumenical service on April 18, 2009, and afterwards the cast will be formally announced in front of the Passion Theater that can seat approximately 4,700. The actors will then be presented at a press conference.
The origin of the passion play goes back to a vow made in 1633 by the citizens of Oberammergau to ward off the plague that was raging at that time. The tradition, maintained and experienced almost without interruption for over 370 years, of putting on the play about the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every ten years, will be continued for the 41st time in 2010 and is regarded as the most important religious and cultural event in Germany. The village at the edge of the Bavarian Alps expects approximately 500,000 visitors for the passion play, over half of which will be international guests. Rehearsals will begin in November 2009. The premiere is to be on May 15, 2010, with 105 play dates to follow up through October 3, 2010. Over 2,500 local residents, 450 of which are children, have volunteered for the play, the most ever.
All actors of the world's largest amateur dramatic performance come from the village, since a special play law is in effect. All participants, from actors playing the big speaking parts such as Jesus, Mary or Judas, through members of the choir, orchestra members, firemen and ushers, must have been born in Oberammergau or lived there for at least 20 years.
For the third time, Oberammergau director and manager of the Munich Volkstheater Christian Stuckl will direct the 2010 Passion Play, in a tremendous collective achievement. Christian Stuckl has already directed "Everyman" for the Salzburg Festival and most recently "Palestrina" at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.
Advance sales of individual tickets begin on April 20, 2009.
Registration for delivery of ticket order forms or reserving tickets with Arrangement can be done immediately at the website http://www.passionsspiele2010.de .
Ticket contact:
Oberammergau und DER Reiseburo oHG
Eugen-Papst-Str. 9a, 82487 Oberammergau
Email: info@passionsspiele2010.de
Tel: +49-8822-923-10
