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Shop nowSaint Joan - Abridged
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Learn more“Joan of Arc, a village girl from the Vosges, was born about 1412—burnt for heresy, witchcraft, and sorcery in 1431—rehabilitated after a fashion in 1456—designated Venerable in 1904—declared Blessed in 1908—and finally canonized in 1920. She is the most notable Warrior-Saint in the Christian calendar, and the queerest fish among the eccentric worthies of the Middle Ages.”—George Bernard Shaw
With Saint Joan, Shaw reached the height of his fame as a dramatist. Fascinated by the story of Joan of Arc but unhappy with “the whitewash which disfigures her beyond recognition,” he presents a realistic Joan at war not just with British invaders but with realpolitik. This is a masterpiece of the theater of ideas, presented in the most eloquent, vital, human, and moving terms. Blackstone commissioned this production from the award-winning Hollywood Theater of the Ear.
George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), Irish-born playwright, critic, and political activist, began his writing career in London. In addition to writing sixty-three plays, his prodigious output as critic, pamphleteer, and essayist influenced numerous social issues. In 1925, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature and in 1938 an Oscar for the movie version of Pygmalion.
Yuri Rasovsky (1944–2012) was the leading writer, producer, and director of audio drama in the United States. Also a distinguished actor, narrator, and critic, his numerous honors include two Peabody Awards, eight Audie Awards, and a Grammy.
Reviews
“St. Joan contains not only some of the playwright’s most acerbic writing but also his most poetic.”
“The most fervent thing Shaw ever wrote—the play that is poetically the most moving, that comes closest to high tragedy, a work inspired with a truly elating sense of justice; a work in which the mature rationality of en esprit fort that has outgrown the confines of the eighteenth and even the nineteenth century, bows before sanctity; a work fully deserving its world fame.”
“Those who doubt the power of radio theater should be silenced by this performance of what has been called ‘the most fervent thing Shaw ever wrote.’ Saint Joan tells the story of Joan of Arc—not the saint, but the girl, a girl who is defiant, nonconformist, spirited. Also told is the story of a France not ready for her, a church that fears her, and barons and earls who fear her seeds of nationalism. This production features a star-studded cast: Amy Irving plays an inspired Joan; other players include Robertson Dean, Scott Brick, and Stefan Rudnicki. Sound effects and music are understated but also unnecessary as the cast more than carries the heartbreaking story. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
“Written at the height of Bernard Shaw’s long and distinguished career, Saint Joan is Theater of Ideas at its best. The play…presents the tragedy of a selfless, courageous young girl with a spiritual sensibility so far ahead of her time that she would be as dangerous today as she was thought to be when she was condemned to death in 1431…The role calls for an actor who can demonstrate this and let Joan soar to tragic heights besides. Amy Irving does an outstanding job. The all-star cast plays off of her and supports her well. The final dream sequence, which moves the play from the 15th century squarely into our own times, is beautifully rendered.”
“Gifted audio drama director Yuri Rasovsky artfully melds the talents of actress Amy Irving, as the gung-ho French farm maiden-turned-warrior by the ‘voices’ in her head, to those of a veteran male cast to bring us a fresh and energetic revival. Rasovsky again displays seemingly effortless skill in translating a lengthy theatrical piece to intriguing audio drama…Rasovsky’s highly competent and satisfying effort, then, represents both an excellent introduction to Shaw and a stand-out performance.”
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