Saint Joan

L'opera

This classic traces the life of Joan of Arc from the time she appears to her regional governor, her visit to the Dauphin (where she is undeceived by his disguise) to the siege of Orleans, coronation at Rheims, trial and recantation, and culminating with her death at the stake. Followed by the famous epilogue regarding her canonization, Shaw explores the themes of faith, nationalism and Protestantism. Called variously "the greatest play in English since Shakespeare" and "beautiful, engrossing, and at times exalting", Shaw's masterpiece remains as vivid and timely to modern audiences as it was scandalous and incendiary in its premiere in 1923.