Press Conference in Oberammergau November 28th 2009

On Saturday, November 28th, an important press conference took place to mark the official start for the rehearsals for the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010. Around 60 national and international journalists came to the village of Oberammergau to see the new stage design and the beginning of rehearsals for the Passion Play performers.

Christian Stückl and the artistic team introduced the new concept for the dramatic presentation of the Passion of Christ. The new production will see Jesus as a more political figure to also appeal to a younger audience. The cast as well is younger than in 2000 with many of the speaking roles being given to young performers for whom 2010 will be a premiere. Over 2.400 of the roughly 5.000 inhabitants of Oberammergau have exercised the right to participate in the Passion Play 2010 performance, as many as never before.

The stage design by set and costume designer Stefan Hageneier will strike a new note and be more colorful including even natural trees. There will be also two new tableaux vivants (living pictures), an essential stylistic device of the Oberammergau Passion Play. Musically accompanied by the orchestra, by the choir and the soloists, these living pictures based on the Old Testament serve to deepen the emotional and spiritual understanding.

During the first rehearsal, almost all of the 148 women and men with speaking roles saw their text for the first time for next year's performance. From now on, daily rehearsals will take place until Christmas and will be taken up again in January on the open-air stage in the purpose-built theatre, no matter what the weather is going to be like, including possible snow fall and significant below zero temperatures.