passion play

American  

Or Passion Play

noun

1. a dramatic representation of the passion of Christ, as that given every ten years at the Bavarian village of Oberammergau.

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Passion play British  

noun

1. a play depicting the Passion of Christ

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Etymology

Origin of passion play

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Philip Breen, who is responsible for the adaptation, first approached Mullan a number of years ago about an eight-hour passion play he envisaged with a community chorus.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2025

Penn, who joined the Bruins as a grad transfer from Indiana last season, tracks each passion play on a chart during the game.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2023

The Iranian passion play is a recurring motif, both on the stage and in the streets.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022

“But we have an endless desire to bring our passion play back to the stage and we are highly motivated.”

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2022

When the candidates for admission to the secret rites were worked up to a state of religious excitement, they entered a brilliantly lighted hall and witnessed a passion play dealing with the legend of Demeter.

From Early European History by Webster, Hutton