What do Popes do in their down time? Thanks to an insightful touring production from The Rose Theatre at the Oxford Playhouse this week I now have more awareness.
They do things like watching TV drama shows, go to the footie, dance the tango, have dinner with friends and play the piano.
These wonderfully human touches in Anthony McCarten’s script bring alive the inner life of men who occupy one of the oldest and highest spiritual offices on earth. It cleverly builds on their past histories; of sacrifice and struggle experienced, of decisions made and regretted, of paths not taken and forever wondered about.
This background laying is of great importance as the play goes on to reveal the inner struggles of two very elderly priests, more than ready for retirement, who are thrust into the role of supreme Pontiff at an extremely difficult and controversial juncture in the Church’s history.
The Two Popes: Anton Lesser and Nicholas Woodeson. Picture by Manuel Harlan
It has been 700 years since there has been a resignation from that office, but Benedict XVI has decided that it is time for him to put down his crosier.
Played superbly by Anton Lesser, the dilemma this causes could not have been more clearly portrayed. The chemistry between this most skilful of actors and the equally impressive Nicholas Woodeson, as Cardinal Bergoglio from Argentina, sparks from their very first scene together in the oppressive heat of the garden of Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome.
The Two Popes. Picture by Manuel Harlan
They make the very most of the wit and sharp observations that the playwright has provided for them.
Both performances were outstanding – gripping from beginning to end.
The production itself matches the high quality of the actors.
Director James Dacre and designer Jonathan Fensom have combined the unworldly with the domestic to perfection, allowing the gravity and humanity of the story to come alive.
Rarely have I seen the use of smoke effects be more effective as part of the plot, but this is about Papal elections of course.
- The Two Popes is a gripping, funny and utterly absorbing evening in the theatre.
- It is currently at the Oxford Playhouse until Saturday (October 22).
- Tickets from oxfordplayhouse.com
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