Creative director and theatre producer Stallone
Santino of Prompt Side Productions is to present a psychological thriller, Rituale Romanum: The Strange Case of
Anneliese, which promises to bring
a provocative drama to the South African stage that will leave audiences
questioning their beliefs.
Anneliese Michel’s story has generated mass
controversy among the church and medical professionals regarding bizarre
encounters that many have considered to be demonic possession. Others opposed
this notion, concluding that Anneliese was suffering from a rare medical
condition. Rituale
Romanum presents the story of Anneliese Michel on stage in 2013, based on
true life events.
Anneliese’s saga began with mere
convulsions in her school, which developed into demonic hallucinations. She
started hearing voices telling her that she was damned. After several visits to
medical experts, it was considered that Anneliese was suffering from depression
and it was determined that Anneliese was considering suicide. While costs
impacted negatively on her parents, and failure in medication, Anneliese’s
parents were convinced that exorcisms were the apt route in healing her.
The play explores the horrific encounters
and exorcisms performed on her along with a hard-hitting and emotionally moving
court case that grapples with the arguments of science and religion still
present in society today.
Rituale
Romanum will debut at the 2013 National Arts
Festival in Grahamstown and Prompt Side Productions is looking for a creative
team to bring this story to life.
Auditions will be held at the Hexagon
Studio Theatre in Pietermaritzburg on October 26 at 15h00. Auditionees need to
prepare a three minute monologue (no comedy) of their choice.
For more information contact Prompt Side
Productions on 072 398 7193 or email: promptsideproductions@gmail.com