From this is London:
Perhaps it’s the Da Vinci Code or Dan Brown or a fascination with Opus Dei, but I’ve been stunned by the amazing response,” says David Suchet, star of a gripping mystery thriller about to open in the West End following rave reviews at its Chichester premiere last month. “Letters and messages have been pouring in. It’s touched a nerve.”
A pontiff found unexpectedly dead in bed, a crisis of faith and a nest of vipers in the Vatican – these are the fantastical true-life ingredients for Roger Crane’s new play The Last Confession, about Pope John Paul I (Albino Luciano), the “smiling” Italian who occupied St Peter’s throne in 1978 for only 33 days. Just weeks after his triumph as a burly, gravel-voiced Robert Maxwell in the BBC2 drama about the late tycoon, Suchet is tackling another fact-based role that once again centres around a sudden, unexplained death.
Swathed in gorgeous scarlet, crucifix swinging, this brilliantly versatile actor plays Cardinal Benelli, who persuaded the reluctant John Paul to accept the Papacy then felt responsible for his early demise.
“At the simplest level,” Suchet explains, “this is a dark thriller about who murdered John Paul I, the Church’s only really liberal, reforming and modernising Pope – if, indeed, he was murdered. On another, it’s about one man’s loss of faith, his bitterness and confusion, and a power struggle at the heart of the Catholic Church.”
The Church Times carried a review of this play a few weeks ago, see:
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=38600
“this is a dark thriller about who murdered John Paul I, the Church’s only really liberal, reforming and modernising Pope – if, indeed, he was murdered.”
Can’t help but be reminded of The Royal Tannenbaums: “Everyone knows Custer died at Little Bighorn. But what my book presupposes is, maybe he didn’t???”
It has been suggested that the Lord took JPI so quickly to protect the Church from heresy. Which is at least as likely as the whole murder scenario, though not as much fun.
Suchet did such a wonderful job portraying Hercule Poirot, the best of any actor who has played the part in my opinion. I would certainly go see this if I were in London.
It seems the entertainment world can’t get enough of attacking the Catholic Church. The other night Robin Williams was on TV spewing anti-Catholic sewage left, right and sideways. Recently he was asked why media and Hollywood people like to attack the Catholic Church. This typical Hollywood coward said it was because Catholics won’t retaliate by blowing him up.
Robin, the perfect Dhimmi. Has he paid his jizya tax yet for not being Moslem. I suppose this spineless creature is terrified of being put in the same fatwa list as Salmon Rushdie who is back on the Moslem “hit” parade because Queen Elizabeth(also now a target) has knighted him.
Oh well! Christ said that when people like Williams attack and revile you because of your Christian Faith, you are doing something right. Better to be attacked by people like Williams than to be groveling to get the support of people like him as so many “Christians” do today.
Isn’t Robin Williams an Episcopalian? (seriously)
Got a chance to read the review linked by Mr. Sarmiento. Lo and behold, here it is:
It is based on history that has been told before, notably in books by David Yallop and John Cornwell.
Yes, that great historian John Cornwell! Why not run this play in repertoire with The Deputy? Perhaps Garry Wills can adapt Why I am a Catholic – a musical! Let’s make it a musical.
Ah,yes, those kneeling Catholics in St. Peter’s Square are a frightening lot!
Isn’t it just wonderful to see someone these days who is proud to be Anglican? People respect people who have self-respect.