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Passion Games 2026
In 2026, the 22nd edition of the Passion Games will take place in Tegelen. This time with 200 actors, singers and extras depicting the last days of Jesus Christ. In Crucify Me, directors Michel Sluysmans and Eva Custers of Toneelgroep Maastricht and writer Frans Pollux thematise the age-old Passion story in today's world. In contemporary language, with plenty of humour and poetry, Kruisig mij sketches the moving portrait of a man with a superhuman message, a man who after his death would, against his will, become the greatest myth of our time. Crucify Me is a human and universal story about dreams and ideals, about hope and love, about friendship and faithlessness.

At the beginning of our era, in a country that -then- hoped for redemption, Jesus and Judas grow up in unfreedom. The Roman occupier benefits from peace and order, and critical voices are stifled. But Jesus and Judas envisage a world where everyone is free to flourish, without oppression or domination. However, there is one major difference between the heart friends; Judas is an idealist who wants to change the world and Jesus a humanist who wants to change people. This difference creates a fatal separation between the two, a separation that ultimately causes friendship to turn into betrayal. First reactions to the script: 'Completely non-traditional'

Director Michel Sluysmans: "It is an honour that Toneelgroep Maastricht has been approached by the Passion Plays to collaborate on the 2026 edition. The Passion Plays have been a household name in Limburg for almost a century and are not included in the National Inventory of Intangible Heritage for nothing. I find it an exciting challenge to shape a new edition of the Passion Plays together with writer Frans Pollux and my artistic team and, with respect for tradition, to interpret and thematise the well-known story for an audience anno nowadays. What do the life, death and legacy of Jesus mean in our time? Was he, as many believe, the son of God? Or is that a question that doesn't really matter? Is it God who enriches the lives of many, or just faith in Him? Faith and imagination, hope and love, they are perhaps an extension of each other and are anyway indispensable for people in an increasingly polarising world."

Lyricist Frans Pollux: "To retell the most famous story ever, in an accessible way, that is a wonderful task. As a writer, but also as someone from here. My passport states that I was born in Tegelen, in the hospital, a stone's throw from Open Air Theatre De Doolhof. This assignment is about writing, about history and about community - three things that play a big role in my life. It feels like a great honour to be able to try this."

With Max Peuten (Jesus), Nikki Smedts (Judas), Ria Hoddenbagh-van de Ven (Caiaphas), Thom Frissen (Peter), Mario Kremers (Herod) and others.
Text Frans Pollux
Directed by Michel Sluysmans and Eva Custers, Toneelgroep Maastricht
Directing assistant/resident director Geert Beurskens
Choreography and staging figis Margus Spekkers
Set design Michiel Voet
Costume design Sabine Snijders
Music design Elisabeth De Loore
Dramaturgy Paul Slangen
Photos Zebra Fotostudio Jordy Caris

Passiespelen Tegelen, Toneelgroep Maastricht and Maaspoort are joining forces for the 2026 edition. Passiespelen Tegelen is the initiator of the entire production, Toneelgroep Maastricht is responsible for the artistic content and staging and Maaspoort is in charge of ticketing.