The Testament of Mary
A visceral one-woman dramatization of Colm Toibin's recently released, controversial short novel.
AM New York
Why see The Testament of Mary?
Mary, the mother of Jesus, tells her version of her son's perplexing life. This one-woman show stars Fiona Shaw and has been nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Play.
The drama takes place decades after the Crucifixion, when Mary is living in solitude in the city of Ephesus, guarded by followers of her son seeking to record her account of the events surrounding his death.
In Toibin's portrayal of this iconic figure, she emerges not as the serene image familiar from religious art, but as a complex flesh-and-blood woman torn by grief, self-doubt, skepticism and her refusal to endorse the official version of the story.
In addition to her extensive stage work, Shaw's many film credits include her role as the cruel Aunt Petunia in the Harry Potter series. She was also a memorable antagonist in season four of HBO's True Blood.
Key Information
Audience
Mature content - may be unsuitable for ages 18 and below
Run Time
tbc
Dates
Finished May 5, 2013
Cast
Mary - Fiona Shaw
Creative
Deborah Warner (Direction)
Tom Pye (Set Design)
Jennifer Tipton (Lighting Design)
Written by: Colm Toibin
Reviews
Customer reviews
2 reviews, average rating: (5.0 Stars)
Arthur Hill
Intriguing and complex...
I was in NYC on a business trip and was naive
about the play. I was drawn to it by some sort of
the vague sense and idea that the play would be
intriguing and complex. It turns out that this was
a powerful performance of an intriguing concept
and an original viewpoint of Christianity and
modern culture. This is an important play in that
it forces a new look at old ideas and challenges
our way of accepting ideas and dogma that need to
be questioned and challenged. The performance was
incredibly well done, (acting, stage set,
lighting, music), and it was exceedingly good to
see a highly trained actress at the peak of her
craft and carry it out in a beautiful technical
performance that made a striking and powerful
impression. I can see why this show isn't the
standard Times Square money maker. I observed that
the other audience members appeared to be local
residents and hard-core theater devotees. It was a
real privilege to be there; looking for future
performances by Ms. Shaw and Co. ... Read more
Anon
So sad this play is closing early
Been looking forward to _Testament of Mary_ since it opened, but
now must take a refund on my ticket, as it's closing before I can get
to NYC. I'm saddened by the culturally pervasive dearth of
imagination and creative empathy that marks so much stifling
commentary about this play. It seems many people would rather be
critical than think critically when they are invited to see something
in a new light. As someone who appreciates the sacred Mary, I was
looking forward to this bold exploration of her humanity. I applaud
the imaginative forces involved in putting on this production. From
all I've read and the interviews I've seen, it seems this play offers a
compelling "Ecco Femina." Sorry I won't get to behold this Mary--in
all her human, suffering complexity. Hope I will have the chance to
see the admirably brave and talented Ms. Shaw in another play. Just
have to keep watching those amazing clips of her in _The Waste
Land_ until then. Art, too, is my religion, and blasphemers abound! ... Read more
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