Origin Theatrical

HER HOLINESS

All Mary MacKillop wanted was to live the dream. But to others-the staunch male hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church - she was a nightmare. What MacKillop didn't count on was the degree of obstruction that would stand in her way. And she did not expcect to be humilated and excommunicated, making it necessary for her to disguise herself and travel to Rome to confront the reigning pontiff. Pope Pius IX, in an attempt to brazen out the storm to found an order of women who would educate the young in wild and remote places in Australia.

She was Australia's Martin Luther, The antipodean Thomas More, Our Joan of Arc, A woman for all season. But this play takes this powerful narrative in an unexpected direction.

The drama is structured so that it takes place in a double time frame: the 19th Century and the 21st Century.

Ideal for school productions.

Duration: 2 Acts

Cast Requirements: 6 Female, 11 Male (multiple doubling of roles) + guards, beggars, chief of police

Genre / Style: Australian Drama

Code: 9780646527253

By Justin Fleming and Melvyn Morrow

The world premiere of 'her holiness' took place on May 31 2008 at the Downstairs Theatre, Seymour Centre, Sydney, produced by Stage Directions and Bakehouse Theatre Company.


"A stunning new play, topical and thought-provoking. Australian work at its finest." - Arts Hub

"A confronting, moving and very entertaining piece of theatre." - Australian Stage

"A powerful play, a riveting spiritual journey that is full of surprises and riveting demonstrations of poignant faith." - Islamic Education

"This is not a world of black and white themes. Entertaining and evocative, it avoids cheap pieties and shallow sentiments. MacKillop is a tough but gracious woman, shrewd but deeply compassionate, leaving the audience with a sense of admiration. What transpires is surprising and satisfying." - The Aquinas Academy