The 41st Passion Play season in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau Germany has begun.

Every ten years, with the notable exception of 1770 and 1940, the villagers of Oberammergau have performed the Passion Play with great verve. In 2010 the villagers take the stage for the 41st time and once again act the suffering and death of the Nazerene.

The plot of the Oberammergau Passion Play has not changed since the first performance in 1634. Christ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the mocking Roman soldiers and the women who followed Christ to his crucifixion. Time and time it is the same ritual; men and women let their hair grow for one year. The roles are cast, players and singers, the young and old villagers go through a long and difficult series of auditions and rehearsals. Finally in the summer of every tenth year this unique Passion Play comes back to life. Jesus, Mary, Judas, John and Peter, the high priest Caiaphas, Pontius Pilte and the children of Jerusalem, 1,600 adults and 550 children are involved in the Oberammergau Passion Play.

The villagers of Oberammergau enact the story of this man from his entry into Jerusalem to his death, from his last supper to the moment Mary Magdalene brings word of his resurrection to the disciples. Nearly half of the Oberammergau residence come togther on stage, Catholics and Protestants together.

The Passion Play features 130 speaking roles, a choir of 120 persons am1000 adults and 550 children gather on stage to sing Hail to Thee, O Son of David.