THEATRE COMPANY SET TO STAGE GRIPPING WHODUNNIT AT CHESTER THEATRE

Rehearsals are underway as a Chester-based theatre company prepares to stage a gripping phycological whodunnit at Chester Little Theatre.

Theatre company Against The Grain will make a welcome return to the city centre venue to stage "Agnes of God" by American playwright John Pielmeier from Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 October at 7.30pm with a Matinee performance also taking place on Saturday 21 October at 2.30pm. The play will be directed for Against The Grain by Mark Newman and Stuart Evans.

The play follows on from the company's productions of "Deathtrap" and "The Birthday Party" at Chester Little Theatre and most recently, hostage drama "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" at The Live Rooms. 

Written in 1979 and based on a true story, "Agnes of God" tells the story of a novice nun, Agnes, who gives birth in the solitude of her convent cell. She claims to have no recollection of the conception or birth and the new-born is found dead in the wastepaper basket by her bed. It is the duty of court appointed psychiatrist Dr Martha Livingstone to determine the nun's fitness to stand trial and find answers. Who is the father? Who knew about the pregnancy? and, most importantly, who murdered the infant. Clashes between Dr Livingstone and Mother Miriam Ruth, Mother Superior of the Convent ensue as the story unfolds, with all three women engaged in a battle of wills to find the truth. As secrets are uncovered, the truth threatens to alter all their lives forever.  A film version of the play produced in 1985 starring Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly was nominated for three Acadamy Awards with Meg Tilly winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. 

Against The Grain's cast features Marian Newman (Mr Dumpling,  Deathtrap, The Birthday Party) as Mother Miriam Ruth, Laura Smith (The Weir) as Agnes and Sally Anglesea (Deathtrap) as Dr Martha Livingstone.  

Speaking about the production, the play's Co-director Mark Newman said:

"We've been really happy to be back in the rehearsal room again.  It's directing duties for Stuart and I this time, so we'll be giving the audience a break from seeing us on stage again!  Part whodunnit, part metaphysical discourse on science and religion, Agnes of God is a complex, moving and brilliant play, and we're lucky to have three hugely talented and strong actresses to bring it to life.  We're looking forward to being able to offer our audience something slightly different to previous productions in both style and content.  This one will stay in the mind for quite some time after the final curtain.  We know they won't be disappointed." 

Speaking about making some bold decisions about how the play will be staged, Mark's Co-director Stuart Evans said:

"This piece could easily be staged with an elaborate set with a doctors office and convent cell but, we decided from the outset to strip the production right back which, we feel, will allow the audience to be completely drawn in by the characters, their story and journey."

Full details of "Agnes of God" can be found at: 

www.chesterlittletheatre.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.

Alternatively, contact the TicketSource box office on:

0333 666 3366

Against The Grain is a Chester based theatre company comprising a small number of actors, directors and writers. Founded by Mark Newman, Marian Newman, Stuart Evans and Paul Crofts in 2019, the company staged its debut production, Jan Bengree's "Worldly Women" at Storyhouse in Chester as part of the 2019 Storyhouse Women Festival. The company aims to stage up to 3 high quality productions per year. Most recently, the company staged "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" by Frank McGuinness at The Live Rooms in Chester.

Pictured - The cast of "Agnes of God" (l-r) Marian Newman, Laura Smith and Sally Anglesea.