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The Development of the Passion Play Theatre
in the 17th and 18th centuries
At Pentecost, 1634, the citizens of Oberammergau
first kept their promise to portray the Passion
Tragedy every ten years. They first put up their
stage above the fresh graves of the plague victims
in the local cemetery.
Originally a simple wooden framework, in the course
of the 17th and 18th centuries, the wooden stage was
equipped with settings and technical stage
equipment. In 1815, Johann Nikolaus Unhoch created a
completely new design. In 1830, the stage was first
erected on the site of the present Passion Play
Theatre.
Until 1820, this performance site was retained.
Originally a simple wooden framework, in the course
of the 17th and 18th centuries, the wooden stage was
equipped with settings and technical stage
equipment. In 1815, Johann Nikolaus Unhoch created a
completely new design. In 1830, the stage was first
erected on the site of the present Passion Play
Theatre.
The New Structure - 1890
In 1890 a new structure, reminiscent of the older
one, was constructed from plans by Carl
Lautenschläger. At this time, the design consisted
of six arched steel girders in a frame structure.
An added and expanded wood frame design gave the
structure a basilica-like character.
Finally, the auditorium was roofed over for the 1900
Passion Play with the still existing iron framework
made of six high arches. It opens to the open-air
stage from the front.
The New Theatre with an open-air stage - 1900
The open-air stage was reconstructed by Georg Johann
and Raimund Lang for the 1930 Passion Play. The
artistic concentration on the stage settings is in
keeping with the clear, ascetic, monumental style of
the previous all-wood stage building. In conjunction
with auditorium enlargement, the original seating,
consisting of rows of simple benches, was converted
to theatre seating. The rows of benches have a
seating capacity of 5,200.
Total Reconstruction
Following the 1990 Passion Play, it was discovered
that sizable portions of the interior and the façade
were in need of extensive restoration. In addition,
it was planned to increase the comfort in the
auditorium and modernize the stage technology.
In September of 1997, a
referendum was held to decide between three
alternative proposals.
The Oberammergauers voted for the design of local
architects Günther Krösbauer and Wolfgang Späth.
Over the course of the next two years, the building
was completely refurbished: new seating and
below-floor heating were added and the dressing
rooms expanded. The lobby was reconstructed to
accommodate disabled persons, and exhibition areas
and new fire protection of the steel and wood
structures were installed. The façade was restored
and the stage technology modernized. All in all,
reconstruction costs ran to DM 15,000.000.
The solemn dedication took place on September 26,
1999, simultaneous with a renewal of the plague oath
The newly renovated theatre with its completely
roofed over seating provides a world-wide audience
top comfort and absolute safety, re-establishing
Oberammergau’s reputation as the leading Passion
Play site. |
