Darker Bright Theatre
She’s back, and she blames the edit.
After her controversial appearance in the 2014 Fringe, the Virgin has returned to retell her side of the greatest story ever told.
5 STARS “The production veers into blasphemy and heartache but is never far from hilarity. Theresa Thomson provides a perfect foil to perceptions of the original virgin.” – CBC
Backed up by her Madonna-singing cantors, the mother of all stage moms is waging holy war on the patriarchy, the church and god for her little piece of heaven.
“Just like a dream, you are not what you seem” – Madonna
This show was incredible. I saw it last night and cried and laughed and also finally started my period! Praise be!
A definite must see show! I went in with some idea of what to expect, and left feeling overwhelmed, and in awe of the amazing work on this stage. It’s a heavy topic. But these are the concepts more people need to be open to hearing and thinking about. I grew up Christian and just didn’t agree with many of the concepts. Hearing this story from Mary’s views, from her birth, to the birth and death of Jesus, including the development of Christian stories and religious doctrine was amazingly told in this play. The concepts on how it’s been abused, and misinterpreted in horrifying ways, even today, was beautifully woven in the show. The choir was lovely and also added some levity as well as depth to the entire show. The story of a young girl praying to Mary throughout various times in her life was challenging to hear (but that is also a reality in so many girls/ women’s lives) helped demonstrate Mary’s feeling of her own inability to help because according to Christianity and the control by the patriarchy “she was just a woman” and wouldn’t be able to help those who prayed to her even if she wanted to. In the end, the show simply “preaches” to be kind and loving to each other.
This show is a Fringe MUST SEE.
Theresa Thomson is engaging, thought-provoking, an enthralling storyteller, and holds your attention effortlessly. The vocal prowess of the “choir” was absolutely impressive. Their presence gave moments of levity, added important details to the story, and used the lyrics they were singing to add an added layer to the story as well.
The subject matter is controversial (mostly to men), and is incredibly relevant to every woman on the planet, and is handled in a completely honest, powerful manner that had every woman in the audience nodding their heads in solidarity with the young woman praying to the Virgin Mary.
Bravo to the entire cast for an incredibly well-done show in a subject sure to ruffle some male Christian nationalist feathers.
In the 38 years , I have attended the Fringe, I would say this was one of my favs. If you believe in any higher power, see this show. Beautifully written, the 11th Commandment ” Be kind and be of service” makes us think about where humanity stands and the need for faith and/or spirit in whatever church or non church you believe in. I felt every emotion from the opening choir to the lights down low.
Warning: Sexual abuse of young girls and grooming (referred to in the programme as sexual content). Should have been a one-woman show; the choir and secondary story was unnecessary and detracted from the message. Mary’s insights into the patriarchy and the hypocrisy and commercialization of ‘organized religion’ and ‘false prophets’ were humorous and thought-provoking. The audience was lectured to at the beginning and preached at in the ending speech. The show was uneven. The parts that I enjoyed, I really enjoyed; the parts I didn’t were frustrating (we got the message the first 3 or 4 times) and disturbing because the warning was insufficient and there may have been audience-members triggered by the secondary storyline. I spent a lot of time hoping that women in the audience weren’t being retraumatized by the experience.
Great show! A retelling of the Christ story through Mary’s eyes. It carefully mixes serious reflection, humour, and song into a piece everyone should see. Bravo!
A thought provoking story examining the differences between church and faith. Professional show with beautiful voices that will have you laughing despite the serious content. If you’ve ever questioned the patriarchy, a must see!