Over three hundred years ago, a terrible disease was spreading throughout Europe, claiming thousands of lives. That disease became known as the Plague or the Black Death.

In 1632, the Plague reached Oberammergau, a small town in Bavaria, in the south of Germany. Within a very short time, almost half of the townsfolk were dead. Doctors tried everything to stop people from dying, but none of their medicines worked. The council decided to peform a play, telling the story of Jesus' death and resurrection, to encourage the survivors. They also thought that if God was pleased with their play, then their lives would be spared.

They went ahead with their play, using only local people. No further victims of the Plague were recorded. As a way of thanking God, the council promised that, every decade, the people of Oberammergau would perform their play. This promise has been kept faithfully for the last three hundred and sixty eight years.

In that time, the play has changed quite a bit. Specially written music has been added and professionally made costumes and scenery are now used. Whenever it is performed, the play attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. But, only people born in Oberammergau are allowed to perform in the play.

During the year 2000, it is estimated that the play will have been performed by 2200 people, all from Obergammerau, and will have been seen by half a million people from all round the world.