Type – New Work, NIDA Grad, Dramedy
If you liked – Conclave (2024), Doubt: A Parable, Game of Thrones
Cadaver Synod: Steamy and blasphemous, this new play takes aim at the Vatican with a ‘Believe It or Not’ premise.
Ruby Blinkhorn‘s Cadaver Synod deconstructs the inner machinations of the crumbling Vatican church of 897AD where a corrupt papacy has decimated the Church’s public image. So…not much different to today really. Cadaver Synod‘s premise revolves around a “believe it or not” bit of history, one where a dead body was quite literally put on trial in order to save the reputation of a long-standing institution for the sake of political sway.
Under Mathew Lee‘s direction, Blinkhorn’s script wanders the line of a dramedy – at times holding biting political subtext, whilst imbuing an air of satire into the blaspheming priests and steamy relationships behind closed doors.
In 897AD Rome, the newly elected Pope Stephen (Nat Jobe) is attempting to outlive his predecessor’s shadow – the deranged Formosus – who caused public upheaval between the church and the King of Italy. Wandering the corridors with a scheming smirk, Father John (Luke Fewster) plays a kind of Game of Thrones ploy to take power for himself. The dilemma for Pope Stephen finally arises in which he must choose to either bring the corpse of Formosus to trial, facing eternal damnation in the process, or stay faithful and paint himself a target for political assassination.
Alice Vance‘s set sees a decadently marbled cross that transforms into the many hidden corridors, walkways and corners of the Vatican in which schemes are hatched and prayers are whispered. Frankie Clarke creates a once more impeccable lighting design (this and Gravy planting them among the best of the year) that casts stained glass patterns across the white floors of the set, whilst other moments close in the audience for intimacy, or conjure an atmosphere of horror in Pope Stephen’s slowly slipping grip on reality. Add in Cameron Smith‘s organic sound design and there are moments when you can truly feel the expansiveness of the Vatican in the intimate KXT space.
Blinkhorn’s script grapples with political reckonings as she investigates the relationship between politics and religion. The morality of the church is on trial here as they lock themselves away behind crumbling walls, gatekeeping superiority whilst making political moves against one another.
Leon Walshe as the young, naiive Father Gabriel is a standout as the story very quickly seems to become his own as Gabriel floats between the sodomous affair with Father John and his admiration and love for Pope Stephen.
Cadaver Synod almost feels as though it’s reckoning with itself as well. It’s unsure of whether it’s aiming to be a comedic satire of the political systems that prop up religion, or an avant-garde political thriller of deceit and betrayal ala 2024’s Conclave. The blaspheming priests are a good satirical gag that brings each off their holier-than-thou pedestal, but the climactic posthumous trial – which could have reached a pinnacle of farce – instead rests in a more dramatic landscape of nervous laughter and tense drama.
Is Cadaver Synod Worth Seeing in Sydney?
As a new play, Ruby Blinkhorn has grappled with subject matter that feels frustratingly timeless, in that the holy affairs are still so easily recognisable in relation with our modern world. There’s a cutting edge to Blinkhorn’s words as she fleshes out a depth of character in this court of priests and deceivers. With a first play this rich and juicy, all eyes are on where Blinkhorn’s interests wander next. Political systems beware.
New Writers, New Works – A season of plays by recent graduates is supported by NIDA and KXT. Cadaver Synod is part of a series of three staged plays at KXT on Broadway. The aim is to showcase the work of recent MFA Dramatic Writing alum to help build their profile and establish relationships with industry.
Tickets and Practical Info for Cadaver Synod in Sydney 🎟️
Until 6 June
KXT on Broadway, Ultimo
Tickets: https://www.kingsxtheatre.com/cadaver-synod
Director Mathew Lee
with Nat Jobe, Luke Fewster, Mark Langham, Leon Walshe, Diego Retamales, Yasna Delo
Writer Ruby Blinkhorn
Assist Director Dominique Purdue
Set and Costume Designer Alice Vance
Lighting Designer Frankie Clarke
Composer and Sound Designer Cameron Smith
Fight Choreographer Diego Retamales
Intimacy Coordinator Trish Speers
Stage Manager Alex Liang
Assoc Producers Zoe Hollyoak, Bella Sham
Assist Producer Morgan Owen
