Cast

Synopsis

‘A breathlessly tense production’ The Independent. ‘What do you do when you’re not sure?’ asks Father Flynn, the progressive and beloved priest at St Nicholas Church School in the Bronx, in his sermon. It is 1964 and things are changing, to the chagrin of principal Sister Aloysius. However when an unconscionable accusation is levelled against Father Flynn, Sister Aloysius realises the only way to get justice is to create it herself. As for the truth of the matter, Father Flynn says, ‘Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty.’

Directors Notes

John Patrick Shanley’s celebrated 2004 play Doubt: A Parable, which is set in the 1960s, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play, and later became an Oscar-nominated film.

Due to Covid this performance has been a long time coming, but finally we have made it. We have all enjoyed working on this tremendous play, which we found to be entertaining, witty and ferocious in its delivery of a superbly written text. It has been a pleasure for me to have worked again with such fine actors.

It has been said that human beings feel safe with certainty, especially in today’s world of social media where it is seen as a strength, whereas doubt and uncertainty can seem to be seen as weak-minded or idealistic. If we condemn, from a place of unwavering certainty, we don’t need to ask questions. The play challenges this thinking and asks us to challenge everything we are told and question everything we see. Indeed at the end of this play, you are left to make the decision yourself.

As always I am grateful to the splendid backstage team who work so hard behind the scenes, and, of course, the support of my husband, Graham. Without them, there would be no production for you to see tonight. To me, they are the unsung heroes.