Every decade a small German village in the remote Bavarian Alps continues a tradition that dates back four centuries to the time of the Bubonic Plague. All performers must be natives of the village, two thousand (nearly half the town's population) stage a retelling of the life of Christ. Each production draws millions of visitors from around the world to the town of Oberammergau to experience the performance. This official companion volume to the world renowned event captures the drama, the colour and the spirit of community that makes this historic production an unforgettable experience. The 2010 production will be directed by Christian Stuckl, assisted by stage designer Stefan Hageneir and music directors Markus Zwink and Michael Bocklet. Anyone lucky enough to attend a performance will treasure this memento while armchair travellers to Oberammergau will feel the excitement and dramatic tension of this oldest of stories made eternally new.