Visionaries

Wednesday, January 19th., Cadogan Square, London.

Began my day's work at 6.45 after a goodish night starting at 11.45. I wrote 1,300 words, and finished a scene by 11.30 about. Yesterday I wrote a letter to the Daily Express and 800 words of a story in the morning, and felt very sensitive afterwards. 

To Royal Theatre this afternoon for a matinee performance of "Our Lady of Kibeho", having seen a very positive review in the newspaper. The play centres around three young women in a Catholic school who experience visions of the Virgin Mary. The visions are portrayed as 'real' (that is the visionaries are sincere in their belief) and the meat of the play is in the behaviour of those responding to them - the local priest, a senior nun, the bishop, a Vatican investigator, other girls, parents and local people. The priority almost inevitably becomes how to make something of the events, rather than their spiritual significance. Those in power see an opportunity which must not be wasted. The priest is conflicted. The nun is jealous because she has not been vouchsafed visions despite a life of devotion. And in the end it turns out that the 'message' Mary wants to communicate is about mans' essential inhumanity - not ideal as a positive foundation. Excellent acting. Very intense at times. Good use of music and a capella singing. Nothing wasted. I enjoyed it and expect to be thinking about it for some time to come.

The downside to matinee performances is that I miss my afternoon doze. Otherwise it seems to me to be an ideal time to watch a play - one's ability to concentrate (indeed to stay awake) is so much less in the evening, especially after a decent dinner.