Judas and Jesus were having trouble with their hair – too long to be tidy but not long enough to be tucked confidently behind their ears. But they weren’t the only men (or women) in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau having trouble with their hair in the summer of 2009.

On 15th May 2010, the first performance of the 41st season of the Oberammergau Passion Play takes place. Staged in a huge purpose-built theatre, its stage open to the elements, some 2,400 villagers will re-enact the events of the last days and death of Jesus Christ. as they have done since the villagers of 1633 made a solemn vow to God, for deliverance from the plague that was killing thousands of people in Europe. From that day, no more plague deaths were recorded in Oberammergau and the villagers have kept their vow, performing the play (with one or two exceptions) every 10 years.

Producing and performing the play is a massive undertaking. There is the double-casting of the 21 principal roles, plus the casting of 121 additional speaking roles, and months of rehearsals for them, the 800 adult crowd participants, 200 child participants, 10 solo singers, the choir of 100, and the 55-strong orchestra – to say nothing of the 50 animals. Costumes and props have to be made or refurbished; the script and music revised – and hair has to be grown, as no wigs or false beards are allowed.

Oberammergau itself is a pretty Bavarian village about an hour’s drive from Munich, ringed by the Ammergau Alps, some of which serve as a dramatic backdrop to the open theatre stage. It has had a tradition for woodcarving since the 12th century, a tradition maintained today by its woodcarving school and guild of master carvers. The village is also noted for its beautiful ‘Luftmalerei’ – the colourful paintings on the façades of many of the houses, ranging from religious themes to fairy tales.

Close by attractions include the Benedictine monastery at Ettal with its stunning basilica, distillery and brewery, and the magnificent and fanciful palace of Linderhof, built for the ‘Dream King’, King Ludwig II.

The 41st season of the world-famous Passion Play commences on 15th May and continues to 3rd October 2010. Each performance, before an audience of some 4,700, lasts five hours. It starts at 14.30, finishes at 22.30 and includes a three-hour dinner break. Tickets and accommodation must be purchased in advance – and are selling well.

Miss the 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play and you will have to wait for the next performance in 2020.