Review: Francis the Holy Jester

I've not been to many premiers of plays by Nobel Prize winning writers on the life and times of medieval saints. Not many at all. But then Dario Fo is no ordinary playwright and Francis of Assisi was no ordinary Saint.

Last night I took myself down to the Italian Cultural Institute to see the first public performance in English of "Francis the Holy Jester" and I have to say it was superb. Translated and performed by long time Fo collaborator, Mario Pirovano, we were treated to a classic mix of history, passion and laughter.

Pirovano's performance was energising, taking on, as he did, the parts of Francis, wolves, peasants and Popes with equal gusto. His relentless humour was infectious and the ad libs and asides well genuinely affecting.

Dario Fo's play gently paints Francis as a simple man who founded the first anti-war movement and who pioneered environmental thinking which led to his status as patron saint of animals. The play makes a convincing case and, as a confirmed cynic, I found myself unexpectedly inspired by the idea of this man who confronted authority in the cause of peace and against social injustice.

One episode sees Francis undergoing trials and tribulations trying to gain audience with the Pope in order to be "allowed" to preach the gospel in the language of the people, including the provincial languages. His hilarious encounter with Innocent III (the Warrior Pope) dressed in rags and covered with dung emphasises the authoritarian power of the church and their fear of the people.

There are dates around various parts of the country and I'd recommend seeing this very modern history lesson. When Francis tells us that "in order to get people to listen, you must talk to the animals" he says more about the power of allegory when inspiring political ideas than a hundred tomes by much respected radical academics.