Local Features
July 2010
THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY, 2010 By Gordon Isaacs
I was fortunate enough to be part of a small group of thirteen (led by Rev Martin Davies) who ventured forth in late May to see the once every ten years production of the world famous Passion Play in the delightful Bavarian village of Oberammergau. The village is surrounded by a mountain range and is spectacularly beautiful. It is the home of generations of wood-carvers who produce a vast variety of goods ranging from toys and cuckoo clocks to religious icons and it is said that a large number of church altars in the USA were created in Oberammergau. The Alpine air, the slow pace of life and the restful hostelries make it quite an idyllic place to visit and a wonderful background to the play itself.
The history of the Passion Play is probably well-known but let me give you a background to the special event that it is. It all began in 1633 with the arrive of the plague - the Black Death - which decimated the population of Oberammergau and there was barely a family in the village that did not experience a bereavement. The villagers vowed to portray the ‘Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ’ every year at the village cemetery if there would be no more deaths from the pestilence. From that moment on there were no more deaths due to the Black Death. Subsequently ‘every year’ became every ten years.
This year is the 41st staging of the play. The season runs from May to October involving 102 performances, five each week and there are 2400 actors involved including a vast chorus and musicians. Each performance is in two parts. An afternoon session of 2.5 hours and a quite separate performance in the evening of similar duration. It is no longer staged at the village cemetery but at a custom built theatre - which quite honestly looks more like an aircraft hangar - but holds 5000 people at every performance. The production involves the villagers and most households will have at least one participant in the play. The play itself has changed many times from its original in the 17th century but the message remains the same - the last three days of the life of Jesus on this earth. For the 2010 production, work on it will have started in February 2009 when a large number of the local amateur cast will have submitted themselves to a regime of no more haircuts or shaving to add an extra touch of Biblical authenticity. The performers for the main parts are chosen a couple of months later when rehearsals begin in earnest. A lot of amateurs are involved but it is by no means an amateur production. Quite the reverse. The staging is extremely professional with the crowd scenes, in particular, brilliantly choreographed. This should not be a surprise really as the director, a native of Oberammergau, is also the director of the Volkstheater in fairly nearby Munich.
We were given a textbook which had the play’s script in German at one end and English at the other although it really was not necessary as the performances on the huge stage were so graphic and the story so well known to most in the audience. The audience itself was a vast polyglot with many French, Italian, American and Asian people - all there for one reason.
The play started and it immediately brought the Bible to life. This is what it would have been like then. Frederick Barnard’s famous quote: “One picture is worth ten thousand words” sprang to mind and it was so true. From the opening with Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey to his crucifixion it was spell-binding, bringing to vivid life the terrible tragedy that we all knew about but perhaps did not appreciate how harshly and cruelly Jesus was treated. The major roles of the High Priests, Caiaphas and his cohorts, and it was brought home to us that they were the ones, not Pilate, who wanted Jesus crucified. He was an innocent man but he was spat upon, vilified, scourged, belittled and exposed to the utmost cruelty without any effort on his part to resist. There was a most moving moment when the Crown of Thorns was placed on Christ’s head. Not just put on but forced down as hard as possible by bent stathes to ensure that maximum pain and humiliation was suffered. Being whipped along the Via Delarosa on his way to Calvary and his final nailing to his cross - where Barrabas should have been. The robber was portrayed more like a football supporter celebrating a goal when the crown let him of instead of Jesus. All very graphic, moving and emotional. The final scenes on the cross and ultimately being taken down were both tragic and moving in the extreme and the emotion of the moment brought tears to many cheeks.
If you have been to a previous performance I hope this brings back a few memories. If you have never been I recommend that you do your best to try and go in ten years time. Tickets are hard to get, generally involving a package deal with a travel firm or a hotel but it really is worthwhile. It added so much to the mere words in the Bible, for which I am eternally grateful, and provided memories and visions that will remain with me for the rest of my days.
One Spring Evening
Ruth Bartlett writes about a very special event at St Mary's on 27th May
An unsuspecting dog walker passing by St Mary’s Church early evening on the 27th May, would clearly have thought “something was a foot,” it was. The normally tranquil churchyard was abuzz; marquees were going up, lights positioned, and tables being put out. Plates of cakes seemed to appear from all directions and elegant canapés were ferried into the church. Cups and saucers replaced the plastic beakers and wine replaced……well the wine was there. Musicians arrived, instruments in hand, so that last minute rehearsals added a delightful addition to the many activities.
Inside the church, music apart, was less hectic, most preparations already made. The flowers looked splendid, just a few reserved notices needed to be placed for invited guests.
A dull start to the day had tentatively given way to a bright spring afternoon, so a backdrop of sunshine greeted people as they arrived for the evenings celebrations. A service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Completion of the Space Project. If anyone reading this is unsure of what this is, let's just say it involved years of hard work, dedication and insight to transform a magnificent historic church into a building fit for worship in the 21st century, losing none of its former glory.
Father John Cornish was the first to arrive of many invited clergy, including former curates Mary Barnes, Sue Groom and Anne Isley. A subsequent conversation in a local hostelry on what is the collective noun for a host of vicars came up with "coven"; but realising maybe not, a quick investigation and “prudence of vicars” it was. Our patron Viscount Daventry, his mother Lady Rose Daventry, and many other significant people involved with the Space Project were also able to join us.
A variety of music preceded the evening’s service with Betty Washbrook making full use of the organ (part of the Space Project) and The Water Music by Handel was played by the St Mary’s Church All Age Band. At 7.30pm the choir led in the procession with Dr Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London (left). The Bishop looked resplendent in his robes, and certainly he added grandeur to the occasion. The service was divided in three sections, the first in which we gave thanks for the Space Project. This included a psalm the Andrew had written for the occasion. This was followed by the Blessing and Rededication, in this part of the service the Bishop was escorted round the new facilities and spaces in the church.
Finally we re-dedicated our own lives. The Bishop addressed us and immediately caused laughter as he referred to the fact that two Bishops had visited Harefield in as many weeks and that they were like a number 11 bus… none at all, then along come two! Anyone who has heard Bishop Richard speak will know that he is wonderful to listen to and we all felt privileged to have him join us.
At the end of the service, we walked out of the church into a glorious if chilly evening. Even the clouds had a pink tinge and the churchyard, as ever looked beautiful. The Bishop remarked how wonderful it was to see trees, not that many around St Paul’s Cathedral I suspect. Excellent refreshments were available and with lots of good company and people to talk to, made a fitting end to the evening. It was a fantastic occasion, one which I think which we will cherish and remember for a long time. Thank you to all who worked hard for the occasion. Being a member of HADS it felt like we were putting on a production, and the way that is achieved is by teamwork and that certainly happened. And special thanks to Andrew for spearheading the project and for his, as ever, beautifully put together service. As he moves on to new and exciting times, I hope this is one memory he takes with him.
The Parish Office
c/o The Vicarage
28 Countess Close
Harefield
UB9 6DL