The Last Confession

Pope John Paul I’s death (Sept 1978), just 33 days after his election, shook Catholic communities worldwide. Vatican media releases had smoke-and-mirrors qualities that provoked conjecture about intrigue and conspiracies.

There was no autopsy and no official investigation, so allegations of murder became rife, especially as Pope John Paul 1 proved to be a liberal thinker with reformist goals to install the Second Vatican Council’s aims to overhaul the Church’s laws and values, stamp out corruption and to reach out to other world religions.

People who go to see this play will be either David Suchet fans or those who want to assuage their concerns about the Pope’s death. Suchet leads this cast of 20 brilliantly and unravels the workings of the Vatican for laymen.         

As Cardinal Benelli, he shocks us from the opening scene when he confesses he ‘killed’ John Paul 1. Then he leads us through the circumstances of two Papal elections in which he was a favoured candidate but lacked the courage for the position. However he proved very perceptive of other cardinals’ strengths and weaknesses. His insistent persuasion that colleagues vote for Cardinal Albino Luciano, the eventual Pope, left him with a feeling of guilt about his death.

Suchet leads a huge cast in opulent red, white and black robes through multiple impressive sets created by grand metal ‘cages’ moved about freely to form multiple venues. This is Suchet’s show because of his TV reputation as detective Poirot, but he leads professionals. It’s stunning entertainment.

Jay McKee