Saint Joan – Traverse Theatre
George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan is reimagined by writer/director Stewart Laing in a risky new version influenced heavily by an unproduced screenplay by Shaw. While this decision offers a unique take on theatrical adaptation, one must question whether this is the right form for a stage production.
This version places Joan firmly at the center of the action during the Hundred Years War, showcasing her rise and eventual downfall as a soldier turned saint. With a strong focus on gender and the power of youth, Saint Joan aims to remind us that anyone is capable of making change.
However, the play's structure, which moves away from familiar theatrical conventions, feels disjointed. Narrative is spoken as though direction in a screenplay, with reference to close ups and camera tracki...