Sarah Snook and John Gaden lead brilliant cast in Sydney Theatre Company’s Saint Joan

In the STC’s new production of George Bernard Shaw’s 1923 play, Saint Joan, the historical character of the title is portrayed as brave and obsessive, self-doubting and vulnerable.

Sarah Snook in the Sydney Theatre Company's brilliant new production of George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan. Picture: Brett Boardman

REVIEW

WHAT kind of young woman could have taken command of armies in the name of God and gone to the stake rather than recant her honest reality that the angels had told her what to do to save France?

In the Sydney Theatre Company’s new production of George Bernard Shaw’s 1923 play, Saint Joan, the historical character of the title is portrayed as brave and obsessive, self-doubting and vulnerable.

Certainly, she is frightened of burning at the stake, but her convictions ultimately blaze more brightly than the fear of death.

Joan is a woman in a man’s world of battlefields and church hierarchies, and Sarah Snook is deeply compelling in the role.

In one especially memorable scene, Snook pleads with what she calls “my voices”. These are the voices of angels and of God, directing her to drive the English out of France and install the Dauphin on the French throne.

Left to right: John Gaden, Anthony Taufa and Gareth Davies in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Saint Joan. Picture: Brett Boardman.

Left to right: Socratis Otto, Brandon McClelland and William Zappa in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Saint Joan. Picture: Brett Boardman

Yes, she wants to obey her voices. But to do so, she has to push through her natural terror of the trials she is about to face.

Joan of Arc’s tragic folly was her heroic refusal to recant, before implacable church inquisitors, her steadfast belief that her voices were bringing her messages directly from God.

The church found Joan guilty of heresy and she paid with her young life.

This is a new production of Saint Joan by the Sydney Theatre Company, and it features stunning performances by Snook, John Gaden as Inquisitor and Archbishop, William Zappa as Bishop, and Brandon McClelland, Sean O’Shea, Socratis Otto, Anthony Taufa, Gareth Davies and David Whitney.

Director Imara Savage has created a taut, fast-paced narrative while sets by David Fleischer and costumes by Renee Mulder emphasise the moody, foreboding tones of silver and black.

Saint Joan, by Sydney Theatre Company, Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay; until June 30