Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney
June 9, 2018

As muted lighting rises on the vast open set, dominated by a dark, towering, monumental tucked curtain at the back of the stage, a figure in gleaming armour and sword is revealed – clearly Joan of Arc. She remains there, standing absolutely still, as an English chaplain (Sean O’Shea) and nobleman, the Earl of Warwick (David Whitney), stride onto stage, joined a little later by Cauchon, the French Bishop of Beauvais (William Zappa).

Gareth Davies, Sean O’Shea, David Whitney, Brandon McClelland and Sarah Snook. Photograph © Brett Boardman

So begins Imara Savage’s new production of George Bernard Shaw’s play Saint Joan for Sydney Theatre Company, not with Shaw’s opening scene but with one set much later in the play (Scene IV in the original version which consists of six scenes and an epilogue). Set in the English camp, it a brilliant encounter in which the three discuss how to suppress Joan’s subversion. Inspired by the teenaged Maid of Orleans, the French are unexpectedly winning battle after battle against the English occupiers. The weakly Dauphin is now to be crowned at Rheims Cathedral, and Joan’s popular following is...