As Passion Plays go, Oberammergau is the biggest of them all, with a long history. Over 500,000 people are expected to attend a performance, from all over the world.
The Oberammergau Passion Play started in 1634, when Bavaria was ravaged by plague. The village elders of Oberammergau vowed that if their lives were spare that they would enact a play to give thanks to God. Miraculously this happened, and as a result, the Passion Play lives on to this present day.
The performance of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Christ is enacted by over 2,000 villagers, with stunning costume and backdrop design. The stage is open-air – with a covered seating area. The play itself lasts for 6 hours – split into an afternoon 1st half – with dinner intermission – and evening finale – and while it is in German, English translation is provided and of course for most people who have grown up within a Christian education system, the story itself is well known.
For Irish viewers of the Unravel Travel TV website interested in attending the Oberammergau Passion Play 2010 check out Topflight.
Topflight’s holidays include a 2 night Oberammergau experience, with Grade A tickets to the Passion Play itself, 3 star hotels within an 8 mile radius, lunch and dinner during performance, transfers, rep services and return flights. All pricing is based on Topflight using Dublin Munich Aer Lingus flights – but group trips can be tailor-made using Cork and Belfast on request.
Option 1 – Two night short break to Oberammergau
Return flights, 2 nights accommodation and transfers, Tour Guide in Oberammergau, Category A tickets to the Passion Play and Passion Play booklet, Lunch before the Performance, Dinner during interval and transfers to and from theatre.
Option 2 – Austrian Lakes and Mountains
Visit Zugspitz Arena in the Austrian Tirol for 7 nights. Topflight has combined the 2 day trip to Oberammergau with a wonderful historic holiday. Stay 5 nights in Ehrwald in Topflight’s Sonnenburg Hotel on half board basis and enjoys an Excursion to the wonderful Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria and a Guided City Tour of Munich.
Option 3 – Austrian Lakes and Mountains
Stay in St. Johann in Tirol for 7 nights. For this trip, Topflight has combined the 2 day trip to Oberammergau with a 5 night stay to the ever popular 4 Star Sport Hotel Austria in St. Johann in Tirol on half board basis. This cost of this option also includes a guided city tour of Munich, an Excursion to Salzburg, and a visit en route to Oberammergau taking in a visit to Innsbruck and Swarovski Crystal World – a fascinating experience.
Option 4 – The Splendour of Lake Garda
Yet another unique experience from Topflight, staying for 5 nights in Barbarano di Salo on Lake Garda & combining this with the 2 day visit to Oberammergau. Lake Garda is one of Topflight’s and indeed one of Ireland’s favourite holiday destinations and this combination includes 3 escorted excursions to Venice, Innsbruck and Verona, which takes in an unforgettable journey over the Brenner Pass, through the Italian Dolomites and the Austrian Alps.
Topflight looking after group needs……
Topflight expect many groups, as well as individuals, to travel from Ireland to Oberammergau. For all groups of 25 or more, Topflight can arrange personalised itineraries and tailor-make trips on request. For groups of 20 or more, Topflight will offer one free place. This free place can be use to raise money for clubs, societies or churches or cover special extras or an event on the tour.
Topflight www.topflight.ie
Topflight Oberammergau e-brochure CLICK HERE
To make a reservation telephone Topflight on: 01 240170 www.topflight.ie
Oberammergau Passion Play 2010
Unravel Travel TV www.unraveltravel.eu
Email your name and contact details to bookings@unraveltravel.eu
Preparing For The Passion Play: Oscar-Worthy Dedication And Inspiration
01 March 2010
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.
Great list of vacation options for Oberammergau. Thanks for posting.