Saint Joan - Part 1 Oxford Theatre Guild

French for the French, England for the English”  

In the white heat of the middle ages, nations are being formed in the battlefields of France: the aristocracy are divided, the prince uncrowned. In to this melee, steps Joan, a hero for the times.  A hero: or a heretic, a witch, a useful fool? Even as she brings her nation together, forces are conspiring against her.  

Listen to Shaw’s Saint Joan, a contemporary version of the story where visions of nationhood and faith threaten to disrupt tradition and patriarchy.  Saint Joan addresses ideas of identity and power that are as fresh today as they were vital in the 15th century.  

Recorded live and remotely during COVID lockdown.

Part 1  

Scene I – The Castle of Valcouleurs. A spring morning 1429 – Joan emerges as a leader of soldiers  

Scene II – Antechamber and Throne Room at Chinon. 8 March 1429 – the forces behind the French crown decide whether to use Joan’s powers  

Scene III – The Bank of the River Loire near Orleans. 29 April 1429 – Joan's first military triumph

Cast

Rachel Smith - JOAN

Ellen Publicover - DUNIOS

Fleur Yerbury-Hodgson - ARCHBISHOP of Rheims

David Guthrie - STEWARD, EXECUTIONER, SENTRY

Matthew Addis - DAUPHIN  / Charles VII

Matt Blurton - Peter CAUCHON

Richard Readshaw - Earl of WARWICK

Gavin Gaughan - SOLDIER, BLUEBEARD, Brother Martin Ladvenu

Nick Smith - Thomas de COURCELLES, LA TREMOUILLE, Constable of France

Tim Eyres - De Stogumber

Jonathan Kay - D'Estivat, Gentleman

Gloria Wright - Robert de Baudricourt, Inquisitor

Joshua Wedge - LA HIRE/Bertrand de POULENGEY 

Directors: Mike Taylor, Liz Burton

Technical director: Dominic Hargreaves