The Gamm Theatre’s Riveting Morality Play

The responsibility of an artist to society and how art reflects life are the major themes in Morality Play, a riveting drama that opened at The Gamm on Jan 1 and runs through Feb 1. This play is based on a novel by Barry Unsworth and was adapted for the stage by Tony Estrella.

The setting is England in the year 1361. A troupe of vagabond actors, led by Martin Bell (Estrella) roam the land, performing morality plays. They lose one of their own to the Black Death, which has been running rampant. Into their lives enters Nicholas Barber (Jesse Hinson), a runaway priest who joins them on their journey.

Faced with a lack of funds and a driving need to preserve their livelihoods, the actors decide to perform a play based on a true life crime story. A young boy named Thomas Wells was strangled and a young mute woman, Jane Lambert (Clara Weishahn), condemned to death for the murder. Martin suspects Jane is innocent, and hopes the play will reveal the real killer or killers.

Director Tyler Dobrowsky staged Morality Play in the round, and each scene is introduced with a title pertaining to the following actions or setting. The superb ensemble cast features several Gamm veterans, including Steve Kidd, Casey Seymour Kim, Jim O’Brien, and Jeanine Kane. Richard Donelly is also magnificent in multiple roles, including the King’s Justice. Hinson and Estrella managed to convey the proper amount of passion and righteous indignation of their characters, who believe they have the power to change a woman’s fate by creating a story for an audience. Are they unspeakably arrogant or noble crusaders for justice? That question has no definitive answer.

Morality Play explores the intersection of crime, punishment and religion in medieval society. The role of the clergy in determining what should be done to condemn the sins of man is a subject the actors debate among themselves, as well as with the audience.

Morality Play is haunting, sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, and stands as a piece of powerful theater.

Runs through Feb 1. Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St, Pawtucket, 401.723.4266