Take the facts: it’s a play about Jesus, but without the jazzy superstar show tunes. It is performed by non-actors, people whose only qualifications for the stage seem to be that 1) they were born in a particular tiny Bavarian town and 2) they’re willing to forgo regular haircuts for a while. And from what I can tell it’s a massively commercialized event designed to draw in hordes of tourists and fleece them of as much money as possible.* In which part lies the appeal of this event?
But then again, I often shy away from big hyped-up touristy things, especially ones which are likely to leave me feeling like a head of cattle. I hated carnival in Venice. When living in New York I meticulously avoided Christmas Tree lightings, Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and all the rest. The running of the bulls sounds dreadful on many levels. If I never got near Oktoberfest again I’d be one happy mädchen. I get bored and antsy in big crowds. But obviously lots of other people love this kind of thing, otherwise no one would go. Right?
What about you? Have you been to the Oberammergau Passion Play, or are you planning to attend this year? (If so, you may want to follow it on Twitter.)
* Note how according to the official website, there are plenty of packages available which involve play tickets, meals, and hotels stays, but if all you want is a play ticket, you’re SOL. It’s the way Jesus would have wanted it.
I won't be attending and have no desire to do so. My main reason is that the play was created with one mission, and it's been so skewed and commercialized, that it's just sick. Sad, really. Also – I'm just not into those hyped-things either. Usually far too much stress to be worth it.
I've never heard of this before but it sounds like a circus I'd pay to avoid…
no way! i've been to oberammergau before, but not to see the play. it is a cute little city, but after seeing all of the ridiculous amounts of passion play souvenirs, i know i do not want to see this overhyped expensive hullabaloo.
No interest in seeing a "passion play". I might see it if it were an opera performed by great talent, but otherwise I am more than happy to have read about it years ago.
I'm also mildly claustrophobic, so seeing something I'm uninterested in while in a crush seems pretty horrible.
Meh.
I actually used to do a passion play with my parish back in my hometown when I was Actually Catholic. It was crap, but I had fun doing it and enjoyed the company of the other performers. I did it for about 4 years running, so I never need to be part of another passion play/stations of the cross again. Especially one like the Oberammergau clusterf***.
I'm going, but only because my godson is playing the part of Peter and another cousin is Mary Magdalene. I'm going with the "einheimischen" to see one of the dress rehearsals before it kicks off for real on May 15 – most villagers can't get tickets to the regular play because those tickets are sold out. I saw the play back in 1980 and thought it was okay but not earth-shattering.
Haven't been, disappointed to hear its been commercialized.
I have to say I loved Carneval in Venice. It was full, but extremely calm and unhectic – tops the Rhine carneval for me anyday. (I am a fan of the allemansiche Fastnacht, though.)
Surprised that you're so against it. I think the history and tradition of the Passion Play in Oberammergau is really very interesting. I used to live nearby as an American student and never did have a chance to see it or an interest in doing so. I do think though that if the opportunity presented itself, I would definitely go. I've heard it's really well done.
Sarah – who did you play?
Harvey – now there's a good reason to go. Interesting bit about the dress rehearsals.
Not fair to judge about something you do not know. A lot of people are deeply touchted by the play, the current director (1990, 2000, 2010) as well as the actors are deeply devoted to what they are doing. The only annoying thing about it are those tourists who keep on talking during the play, even using their cell-phones. It is not exactly the same as Carnival in Venice or Oktoberfest, both of which I do (did) not enjoy very much myself.