The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection was staged as a major event by RTL in Kassel. The rain caused the audience to disperse prematurely, but the station was satisfied with the audience ratings – especially in one target group.
The spectators were almost wet to the skin on Wednesday evening at the Passion, RTL’s big TV spectacle on Friedrichplatz in Kassel. 8,000 spectators had purchased tickets and there were long queues at the entrance. As the rain began to set in, many people fled to dry land over the course of the evening.
The city of Kassel itself was staged with clips from locations such as the Wilhelmshöhe mountain park, the train station and the market hall. Anyone who wanted to chat a little after all the hustle and bustle found the opportunity during the supporting program of the churches in the neighboring Karlskirche.
2.2 million TV viewers
The private broadcaster was satisfied with the TV ratings: 2.23 million people saw the three-hour broadcast, which corresponds to a market share of 9.7 percent. Among younger viewers between the ages of 14 and 49, the figure was even 12.4 percent.
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Video 06:12 min. | 03/27/24, 7:30 p.m. |hessenschau
“The Passion” on Wednesday evening in Kassel
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The spectacle attracted amused comments on social media under the hashtag #DiePassion.
Procession from the Stadthalle to Friedrichsplatz
The ordeal of Jesus was staged live at several locations in the city and transported into the present day with pop songs. It started with a procession with 800 extras at the town hall, the central venue was a large stage on Friedrichsplatz. 100 people carried a large, glowing cross. Spectacular images at Hercules were filmed in advance and recorded during the show.
Many people from Kassel took part in the procession. Like family father Thomas Neumann, who describes himself as an active Christian and was registered as a “follower” with his wife and two children. “I think this production is a good way to bring the message of death and resurrection to the world. It may be a bit over the top. But extremes are definitely necessary at this time so that it appeals to many people,” he told the hr .
The story brought stars and starlets to the stage
Many pop and show stars were involved in the performance of the modern passion play, which tells of disappointment and betrayal, hope and confidence, forgiveness and faith. Singer, actor and presenter Ben Blümel took on the main role of Jesus.
There were also Jimi Blue Ochsenknecht as Judas, Francis Fulton-Smith as Pontius Pilatus, Timur Ülker as Petrus and Nadja Benaissa from the No Angels as Maria and Reiner Calmund in a guest role. The entire spectacle was broadcast live.
Jaenicke: “Kassel is the right place for a big meeting”
On site, actor, author and environmental activist Hannes Jaenicke led the way through the Easter story as a narrator. He explained that the “population center” of Germany is very close to Kassel, which is located in the middle of the Federal Republic. “So if we were all going to have a big meeting, Kassel would be the place for it,” he said.
As in 2022, the ancient Bible material was told in a very modern way. Jesus came by train and some disciples roared up on e-scooters. Italian food was ordered for the Last Supper – five ciabatta breads and two pizzas. Topping: Frutti di Mare. Judas, on the other hand, first attracted negative attention when he tried to put a happy skateboarding kid in his place.
Great atmosphere despite the rain
The weather was not kind to spectators and performers. Plenty of rain fell from the sky. Frankfurt native Benaissa admitted after the performance that she was cold during the performance, despite the neoprene suit she wore under her costume.
Ochsenknecht said his role as Judas was strenuous, partly because of the emotions his role demanded of him. Singer Lenny Lanner said it was important to bring the passion story closer to people.
City hopes for attention
Andreas Bilo from Kassel-Marketing as a local partner was pleased that “The Passion” came to his city, “at prime time and live from one of the largest inner-city squares in Germany”. Norbert Wett, head of the tourism department, hoped that Kassel could gain sympathy points as a tourism location with the event.
A comprehensive security concept was developed for the major event in consultation with the various regulatory authorities.
Churches with their own campaigns
The Kassel churches were right in the middle of it all: at the performance venue, the Protestant and Catholic churches accompanied the event with their own activities. The Karlskirche should be open until midnight so that people can take a break from the hustle and bustle, have a blessing or pray.
5,000 small crosses were distributed on Friedrichsplatz, which were packed in bags with the inscription “Love is everything” in the Baunatal diaconal workshops over the past few weeks and are intended to be reminiscent of the large cross of the procession.
RTL is leaving, but the church remains
City Dean Barbara Heinrich sees “The Passion” as an opportunity for people to be touched by the Christian message and come into contact with the churches. Christians have been preparing their own actions for weeks. “The passion has a charisma and has already brought numerous people together.” The spectacle could now make the biblical Easter story better known to everyone and continue to have an impact afterwards. “And after RTL leaves town, we’re still here.”
The bishop of the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck (EKKW), Beate Hofmann, was curious “to what extent the event will appeal to people about what is being staged and what it means for their lives.” However, it is “a very broad expectation” that such an event can bring more people back to faith and into churches.
As with any attempt to retell the story of Jesus, there will be people “who are attracted to the format and others who are more alienated by it given their own ideas and images.”
Further information
“The Passion – The Greatest Story of All Time”
The concept for the live TV event “The Passion – The Greatest Story of All Time” was taken over by the Dutch television station RTL. “The Passion” has been one of the most successful Easter TV events there for more than 13 years and reaches an audience of millions. RTL first showed it as a live event on television at Easter two years ago.
The German premiere two years ago in Essen, at which time Thomas Gottschalk was the narrator, attracted around 3.14 million people to the television, according to RTL. This time too, the live event is intended to reach an audience of millions.
End of further information Further information
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