The Universe, 24/06/2012
Joanna Bogle's blog, 22/06/2012
Extraordinary...
...evening at St Patrick's Soho Square, with a magnificent and evocative performance of a play about St Therese of Lisieux. A one-woman show: Eva Herendez in an unforgettable performance which had us spellbound from the moment she walked slowly up the aisle in the Carmelite habit, and sat down before us. Suddenly she was Therese, recounting incidents from childhood (as described in "Story of a Soul"), becoming - hilariously - a turgid novice-mistress listing the timetable for each day in the monastery, and, finally, revealing the self-surrender to the love of God that is at the heart of the Therese message. The church (which was packed) sort of held its breath as the story drew to its end. Extraordinary. Well worth seeing this fine piece of theatre. It's been presented in churches and theatres around France, and even in some prisons, where it's drawn a deep response. If you get the chance, do see this play.
ICN Independant Catholic News, 22/06/2012
Amanda C Dickie
An insightful new play about St Therese of Lisieux was performed in London's Soho this week at St Patrick's Catholic Church. Written by French author, photographer and director Michel Pascal, a former jazz singer and circus performer, as a 50 minute monologue, embracing key events and characters in the saint's life. His first play was directed by British theatre director Peter Brooke in Paris. Performed by Eva Hernandez, a graduate of the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Paris, it has been taking France by storm and been broadcast on French television. Rave reviews for Hernandez's remarkable portrayal follow her wherever they perform, whether in a Parisien theatre, churches or Cathedrals across the country. They are now touring the world and performed the play in an English translation, by Leonie Caldicott, in the Holy Land and America. Later this week they are in Scotland. Despite the second performance coinciding with the England Football match, the church was packed. The audience at St Patrick's was visibly moved at the first night which I attended. Two Carmelite friars from Walworth said that the actress had great presence and it was a poignant portrayal of Therese's spirituality and simplicity. The saint, whose relics toured this country in 2009, wrote eight plays and acted in them with her Carmelite sisters, would surely relish this dramatisation that captures her sense of humour and mimicry. Eva Hernandez met Pascal in a supermarket queue and he knew she was perfect for the role. At the time she was a lapsed Catholic but has now returned to the church. She and Pascal see their tour as an evangelical mission. They have performed twice at Lisieux Carmel and go back there in August. They have also performed in prisons and hospitals. Paschal recounted a performance to dementia patients where they became totally immersed in Eva's performance. Pascal and Hernandez want to come back to England and perform in other venues in the autumn or early next year They are looking for a theatre, churches and Cathedrals who could offer venues. Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, March 2012 |
The voyage of the relics of the little Thérèse in the Holy Land, from March to May 2011, is still fresh in our collective memory; the fruits of her passage failed to escape anyone. One year later, the inhabitants of this land have yet another opportunity to explore the spirit of this soul who wanted to “pass on [her] heaven to do good on earth.” “St Thérèse, Story of a Soul” was written and staged by Michel Pascal, and interpreted here by Eva Hernandez.*
On stage for one hour, Eva plays the little Thérèse with force and conviction; a “true and moving” spectacle, according to a Haifa Carmelite. In one year, the work has become an artistic and spiritual achievement in France with 60,000 viewers and 380 performances. She has been played in theaters, churches, sanctuaries, hospitals, and prisons. “While I perform,” confided Hernandez in her interview on March 6th, just before her performance in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, “I carry within me all those spectators who have confessed to us how much this play has helped them.”
To the question of whether playing the role in the Holy Land takes on any special significance, Hernandez responded, “wherever I perform, depending on the location, an emotion appears (in prisons, in a church, etc.). Here in the Holy Land, the emotion is very strong. I sense that I am nothing but a messenger, a tool at the service of St. Thérèse. I try simply to be the Word, to be able to reincarnate her for that instant; that is the best thing I can do.”
“To play in the Holy Land,” she continued, “is special because it is the Holy Land. I feel serene while playing here. Free. There is a great benevolence from the public…and also a great thirst. Especially the other evening while performing in the Galilee…I believe that while here in the Holy Land, I have become more and more aware of the goodness of this work. It is like a prayer. I realize that I am leading a large prayer.” Hernandez concluded, “I have the impression that I am at the same time receiving and giving a gift here in the Holy Land.”
Thérèse is especially relevant today
“Thérèse is especially relevant in our age. She touches by her simplicity,” discloses Michel Pascal, writer and director of the play. “In writing the play” he continued “we wanted, with Eva, for Thérèse to speak today, so that she might unify the world.” It has been not only Christians, but also Muslims, Jews, atheists, and Buddhist monks who have come to see the play. “Thérèse can bring together all religions,” Pascal explained “We are continually struck by the diversity of the audience, as well as by the testimonies which we have received: atheists returning to mass after seeing the play, others tell us that they will return to their former way of faith.” Touched with emotion, he continued “Thérèse makes an impression! She upsets all by her littleness.”
“Nothing is more concrete than God”
It is by this phrase that Pascal and Hernandez decided to conclude their play. They hope that by this work, and through the holy simplicity of St Thérèse, they might “arouse in everyone eternal beauty through temporal beauty” as Pope Benedict recommended in his 2009 discourse addressed to artists.
Reviews in the French press
Many reviews in French can be found on the French blog of "Story of a soul"
