(Pic: Janna Ramos-Violante as Sister Agnes)
Three fine performances in John Pielmeier’s excellent drama. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Is she an Innocent … or is she a hysteric? Was it rape or was it a miracle birth? Can one be truly objective if one has renounced religion but has to analyse a soul who is driven by God?
That’s the challenge facing court psychiatrist, Dr Martha Livingstone, who is tasked with identifying whether a young nun, Sister Agnes, is legally sane after what begins to look like the murder of her child.
Independent theatre companies, those who struggle on without the benefit of sponsorship or government funding, take a great risk in presenting pure drama in these cash-strapped times. In order to survive and generate income, they tend to put on the kind of work the general public – not just the theatre aficionados (and these are dwindling by the day) – will pay to see: There is a long-standing theatre saying: “You have to do nine potboilers before you can do an Agnes of God”.
The reference to Agnes of God being that in a drama such as this, actors have the luxury of being able to explore their craft, define nuances, be challenged by moods and vocal dynamics and generally revel in a chance of performing roles that are beautifully moulded in a powerful dramatic production made up of a memorable script and skilfully crafted scenes.
Fett Diva Productions is currently presenting Agnes of God in the Square Space Theatre and the cast - Janna Ramos Violante (Agnes), Tamar Meskin (Dr Livingstone) and Alison Cassels (Mother Miriam Ruth) – certainly do justice to John Pielmeier’s script and Tanya van der Walt’s direction. Stephen Woodroffe has designed a clearly defined set which identifies the three areas of action and his lighting is very effective.
Dr Livingstone is the eternal optimist – a chain-smoking lapsed Catholic, she rails against religion and all it stands for. Mother Miriam Ruth is fiercely protective of Sister Agnes to the point of being less than truthful. And Sister Agnes herself? On the face of it, she’s a poorly educated young woman who has had a baby which is found strangled by its umbilical cord in a wastepaper basket in her room at the convent.
In the complex role of Agnes, Janna Ramos Violante gives a luminous and compelling multi-layered performance - at times naïve, vulnerable and charming, at others a virago – as this despairing soul who believes she is being punished for sins she doesn’t understand. Tamar Meskin skilfully handles the mercurial role of Dr Livingstone whose blunt and probing exterior hides a complexity of emotions. Providing the buffer between the two, Alison Cassels’ solid portrayal of Mother Miriam Ruth is that of a forthright yet unyielding modern-thinking figure whose defence of Agnes has its own agenda.
While this is a thought-provoking and gripping drama, it is also extremely entertaining. Ironic humour bubbles beneath the surface and the action is fast-paced.
Fett Diva Productions was scheduled to present Agnes of God late last year but Alison Cassels had an unfortunate accident (coming out of the Square Space Theatre, so be warned!) in which she broke three bones in her ankle. This not only meant that the production had to be postponed but effectively put Alison out of work for four months. All kudos to her that she managed to negotiate the various levels of the stage with only the slightest hint of a limp.
Agnes of God runs until March 29 in the Square Space Theatre on the University of KwaZulu-Natal campus with performances at 20h00. Bookings on 031 260 3133 or tickets at the door. For an all-too rare dramatic experience, don’t miss it! - Caroline Smart
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