Nuns just wanna have fun. But in the Middle Ages, that wasn’t supposed to be an option. Shackleton Theatrics brings to the stage a story that has been surrounded by mystery throughout centuries. The medieval event took place in a French covenant, where nuns started to meow, causing complaints and concerns from the surrounding communities.
The British Journal of Psychiatry lists some instances of sociogenic illness across different places and centuries. The root cause of many of these cases is the isolation and extreme conditions in which the subjects are expected to live. The strict lifestyle imposed in some religious orders have caused the outburst of strange behaviors. Although not enough details exist of the meowing nuns, this case has sparked rumors that the meowing was a manifestation of satanic possession. Playwright Park Lytle, however, has his own interpretation.
Director Hunter Mahmoud Abal sets the tone of the play from the beginning. The atmosphere is dark, mysterious, and the chanting adds an air of mysticism to the space. What comes next is an exploration into the system of beliefs deeply entrenched in the Middle Ages.
Only three nuns remain in the covenant. Sister Sara (Savannah Coyne), Sister Adrienne (Eva Claire Hendricks), and Sister Genevieve (Alexandra Tejada) pray, dance, and meow loudly around the figure of the late Mother Vivienne (Josephine Nunez). Is this just fun, or demonic possession? To find out, Count Giraud (Christopher Martin) sends Father Raoul (Christopher Martin) and Brother Thomas (Karo Dzghalian) to the covenant.
During their trip, both men experience revelations and Father Raoul sets the forest on fire. Lytle uses symbols like the wolf and the sheep to imply the relationship between the church/state and subjects, and to a larger degree, the past and current dynamics between men and women. Lytle’s take on this historical event revolves around the imposition of will by men over women, whether by means of diplomacy or straight out violence. It comes down to the fact that despots don’t need to explain their tyrannical ways.
Abal’s direction blends effectively the mysticism of the script with dark and surreal visuals. This is matched with outstanding performances. Zeusso is simply magnetic. He displays the viciousness, coldness, and troubledness required to make his character a controversial figure in the story. The cast demonstrates their conviction, upping the game with their convincing performances.
This production is a unique experience. It’s a great example of how artists create something meaningful and provocative with limited resources. This is independent theatre done with passion and determination. Once you have the talent, everything else falls into place on its own. This is a medieval story with modern undertones, treated with an edgy infusion of great acting and creative visuals. Should we use the term off-Hollywood for this kind of independent gems?
The Meowing Nuns
The Whitmore Theatre
1106 Magnolia Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
March 6-7, 13-14 at 8:00 PM.
March 8 at 2:00 PM
Tickets: shackletontheatrics.com
Written by Park Lytle
Directed by Hunter Mahmoud Abal
Produced by Park Lytle, presented by Shackleton Theatrics
Cast: Karo Dzghalian, Savannah Coyne, Eva Claire Hendricks, Alexandra Tejada, David Zeusso, Christopher Martin, and Josephine Nunez.
Creative team: Stage Manager Abbs Stoiber, Production Manager Sam Millette, Scenic Designer Grace Hlavacek, Costume Designer Ashley Kae Snyder, Lighting Designer W. Alejandro Melendez, and Sound Designer Jonathan Flikkie.
