Globe theatre, London
Isobel Thom gives a visceral, courageous performance as France’s patron saint, brought into the modern day by Charlie Josephine’s joyous production
You might not expect Joan of Arc to incite a similar amount of controversy today as in the 15th century. But Charlie Josephine’s reimagining, which makes France’s patron saint non-binary, got a barrage of criticism last month, before anyone had even stepped foot on stage.
But the mass fury hurled at this production has only shown it to be all the more essential. And as for the cries of historical inaccuracy? Well, the decision to make Joan non-binary has parachuted the tale into current times. Beginning with a monologue on the divinity of trans people, Josephine’s script is as much protest as play. Driven by a God characterised as a deep, internal instinct rather than a deific force, this Joan urges us to follow our own authentic truths.
