Waipukurau Little Theatre performs Agnes of God

The three-women cast of Agnes of God from left, Denise Lahood as the court psychiatrist, Agnes the novitiate nun played by Holly Waldrom and Jules Hales as the Mother Superior.

Waipukurau Little Theatre's latest production is the award-winning play, Agnes of God by John Pielmeier, directed by Emma Walker.

The play was first staged in 1979 and made into the 1985 film starring Jane Fonda in the role of the psychiatrist. It is a thought-provoking drama and is loosely based on a true story.

The synopsis: At a convent Sister Agnes, a postulant nun, gives birth, but the child dies and Agnes retains no memory of the event. The police become involved and the court requires a psychological investigation into the circumstances surrounding the baby's death. The play contrasts the relationships between the Mother Superior, the court psychiatrist and the novitiate in a war of beliefs that questions spirituality and science, facts and faith, reality and fantasy.

The play has three main characters: Dr Martha Livingston played by Denise Lahood is the court psychiatrist; Jules Hales is the Mother Superior of the convent; and Agnes, the novitiate nun is played by Holly Waldrom.

There are no other characters on stage and all three roles are considered demanding for the actors playing them.

Martha covers the full gamut of emotion during the play, from nurturer to antagonist, from hard-nosed court psychiatrist and atheist to faith-searching healer. The Mother Superior must expound the possibilities of miracles while recognising the realities of today's world.

Agnes is a beautiful but tormented soul whose abusive upbringing has affected her ability to think rationally.

Agnes, who is verging on insanity is pulled between Martha the fact-finding psychiatrist and atheist and Mother Superior, a believer in miracles.

The two older women are deeply influenced by their personal agendas, beliefs and experiences and yet these women of power are also enchanted by the seemingly magical nature of Agnes and find themselves questioning their own beliefs.

Agnes of God will entertain and provoke and promises a deep investigation into the psyches of the three female characters.

• Agnes of God plays at the Waipukurau Little Theatre from August 24 until Friday the September. Tickets are available through Colourplus in Waipukurau (06) 858 7116. Check out the Facebook page and website for more details.