COG group exists over 10 years. Started with production of a musical Call of Guadalupe and then continued with Saul/Paul, St Francis, Amazing Augustine and now John Paul 2.
I was quite concerned about the latest production. John Paul is very revered in my country, many people know details of his life. How it will be presented in a musical? How it will be performed by amateur actors?
Another point was - how they will present complex issues of Polish history and a place of Catholic Church in it?
Well, the best thing was to come and see. I was quite impressed with performance of the team as whole...
Then the scenes from Polish history came. German occupation - prisoners in the quarry...
Communist Poland - at the entrance to the residence of Polish Cardinal in Cracow...
Ooooops! I and few my Polish friends sitting next to me sighed. Sovier soldiers - this was so untrue.
Yes, we had communism in Poland. Yes, it was forced upon the people. Yes, it was limiting powers of Catholic Church, but they were never, ever Soviet soldiers pushing people in the streets.
Another point - even during hardest communist rule there was a public holiday on Corpus Christi day which is always on Thursday. This involved closing few streets next to city main church, building four temporary altars in the streets and then a massive religious parade lasting few hours.
Any Australian Catholic experienced something like this in his/her country?
Return to the musical - Habemus Papam - we have the Pope!
Very well presented, with real white smoke and very good performance of the whole ensemble.
The first visit in Poland, meeting with Lech Walęsa - future Solidarity leader...
This was of course some stretching of history, they met for the first time much later, but theatrically it was a proper idea. Election of Polish Pope brought to Poland a great confidence and faith, that nothing is impossible and in this way it paved the road to Solidarity.
For me this scene brought an additional pleasure - it was a very credible image of the Polish worker of these times.
Then a series of dramatic scenes of attempted assassination of the Pope and his visit of imprisoned Mehmet Ali Ağca and a touching scene of forgiveness.
It was followed by a visit of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to Vatican...
In some way it neutralized a negative image of Soviets from the previous scenes of the musical.
It must have come to sad scenes on the deathbed. But then the ray of hope - powerful ending - santo subito (saint immediately)! Do not be afraid.
Thank you very much all people involved in this excellent production.
