Pledge & Play: How the Passion Play in Oberammergau Changes a Village and Impacts the World

by Anne Fritch

What’s the story with the little village of Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps? For nearly 400 years, the people who live here have performed the Passion of Christ every ten years. All together. Grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren all join each other on stage. They are fulfilling a vow once made by their ancestors to stave off the plague. This book sets out to discover why the villagers’ enthusiasm for theatre has endured to this day. It takes a look behind the scenes and accompanies the creation of the 2022 Passion Play with its 2,400 participants. In a series of conversations, the author explores their motivations, special rituals such as the Hair and Beard Decree and theatre life in times of the coronavirus pandemic. And why giving up is not an option.

191 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2022

Reviews

[Don Harton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little story of a fascinating town and the big play the town puts on every ten years. If you have been to a Passion Play or are considering attending, check this out. The story is very real and the insights from the performers are wonderful.

Fritsch traces the Play from the Pledge in 1634 through the almost 400 year history of the play, and also tells the story of its most recent pandemic-fueled aberration. Having just attended, the book was especially compelling.