Roxanne Fay achieves that end in a forceful way. Mary wants “time pushed back.” One might say that’s what Colm Toibin wanted to do with his play. She scorns the fellows who followed him as well as present followers. Since Jesus’ death, Mary has continually saddened at his acquiescence in what she obviously thinks is his myth of being the Redeemer. Shortlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize, Colm Tóibíns provocative, haunting, and indelible portrait of Mary presents her as a solitary older woman still seeking to understand the events that become the narrative of the New Testament and the foundation of Christianity.In the ancient town of Ephesus, Mary lives alone, years after her son’s crucifixion. Recounting these, Roxanne Faye’s voice deeply conveys Mary’s emotions, remembered and present. Maybe it was for her protection? Safety concerns even made her miss being finally at the cross, though they didn’t stop her noting in exquisite detail all that led up to her son’s last moments. One time when Mary hardly recognized Jesus, because he seemed better dressed and more powerful, she says he shunned her. Instead, that’s raising Lazarus from the dead and both were accomplished in tandem without any input from her. Her account of the turning of water into wine at Cana is different. Where her memories don’t agree with the gospels, she insists on her truth because, she says, “I was there.”įrom her perspective, Mary eloquently (because she’s not the often-celebrated restrained, unassuming, silent woman) describes several of her son’s miracles. She tells about Jesus‘s life and hers from his childhood through to his crucifixion. She slowly gets up and dries off, donning a linen shift. The lighting is low and there are dozens of candles spread about the set.

She refuses to say anything to promote the idea that he was the Son of God or that the religion being fostered in his name will change the world for the better. MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY It begins with a woman taking a bath. They are hoping she will tell more about him.

As usual, a few evangelists are visiting her. In The Testament of Mary, it’s some years after Mary’s son Jesus has left earth. Continuing in brown trousers and a black top, she appears as a modern woman-and an angry one at that. After a momentary cover-all blue light stops, along with the music, the dramatic Mary pulls off her robes. She looks like a painted Renaissance Madonna. With all my heart, I respectfully urge you to cancel and apologize for this production.To the offstage strains of Gounod’s “Ave Maria” sits Roxanne Fay robed in blue from head to toe before a pure white background. Whereas: The TESTAMENT of Mary is now showing at Northern Light Theatre Whereas: Every Catholic and God-fearing Canadian is disturbed by such blatant insensitivity to God and His Holy Mother Whereas: The Mother of God is deeply insulted by the blasphemies in The TESTAMENT of Mary Whereas: Mary was the most pure and faithful disciple of her divine Son If you consider the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as one, since they basically tell the same story with variations, here is the other. SUBMIT YOUR RESPECTFUL BUT FIRM PROTEST NOW They say there are two sides to every story, and then there’s the truth. We will steadfastly and peacefully oppose this outrage, and ask that you please join us.

Fleeing the Crucifixion, saying: “It was my own safety I thought of it was to protect myself.”.

Calling the apostles “a group of misfits.” Not one of them “normal.”.

Saying “I am not one of his followers.”.

Possibly stripping the most pure Mary completely naked on stage, as was done in New York City, on Broadway, in 2014, during its North American premiere. The theme of mistaken identity is familiar fodder on Broadway (One Man, Two Guvnors Jekyll and Hyde, etc.), but the example that is currently on display at the Walter Kerr Theater is more accidental than thematic, and all the more surprising for that.

We ask you to please join us in prayerful and peaceful protest against this blasphemous play which is now showing at Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta, with blasphemies against Mary, such as: The devil never gives up in his raging blasphemies against the meek, humble, and most pure Virgin who will crush his head. It is simply outrageous and shocking beyond belief that the Holy Mother of God is subject again to the intolerable blasphemies of the play The Testament of Mary.

The testament of mary lighting