Type – Fringe, Intimate Theatre, Homegrown
If you liked – Helios, She Threaded Dangerously, Smile – The Story of Charlie Chaplin
THE CARDINAL RULE: A look into a 1990s Canberran childhood in the catholic church – the good, the bad and the elephant in the room
The stage is set with furniture of different heights all draped with all white fabrics. Huge lengths of sheer, plain, textured and lacey fabrics flow from each piece to another, visually connecting the set pieces atop a large white and cream circular carpet. The work opens as one of the piles of fabric on the ground began to move, and from within it, wrapped up and twisted in swathes of fabric emerges our main character.
The Cardinal Rules is a thought-provoking reflection on growing up in the Catholic church and the feelings that arise when you become old enough to examine and question your own beliefs and understandings.
Our protagonist, portrayed by Rose Maher, is an 11-year-old girl talking about her baptism in the catholic church. Through the character’s childlike lens, we get insight into the 90s Aussie catholic church experience. Best mate Rory is referenced throughout, who for some reason stopped attending the parish suddenly during their school years and then commited suicide on the eve of their 35th birthday.
The work chronicles the girl’s understanding and experience of the church as she grows up and we watch her come to the realisation that Rory’s sudden changing wasn’t as she’d been told. As she becomes an adult, we watch her distress and distrust grow as she realises that all the adults around her knew at the time, and no one said anything. Why did they all remain silent?
Approaching Our Beliefs With Curiosity
The writing presents different elements of the catholic church like the artistic, colourful and creative outfits, processions feeling almost dance like and of course the harmonised singing, as well as reflecting on the ugly and intolerant. The work doesn’t aim to reject the church, but to encourages audience members to approach their beliefs with curiosity. It challenges us to question whether our beliefs are a decision we’ve made on our own accord. “The show doesn’t replay the church rituals, but we have certainly explored them to find the story and the real core of what we wanted to say” says Maher.
While addressing some deeply disturbing and problematic subject matter, the writing is balanced with very physical, bouffon-comedic performances, song, and dance routines as well as segments of text told through the child’s innocent and literal lens. She raises some very good points such as ‘If the wafers served at communion are the body of Christ, is Jesus a wafer?’, ‘why are there altar boys but not altar girls?’, and ‘who does the priest actually marry if he’s married to the church?’
Maher brilliantly embodies the hunger for learning and lack of self-consciousness that young children have, as well as the constantly moving, flexible and energetic physicality. As her character becomes an adult, the unapologetic rawness is turned into strength and unapologetic questioning of the betrayal that’s been all around her.
From start to finish, the character is is deeply rooted in humility and truth, Maher delivers a consistently engaging performance. She’s joined on stage by her two ‘aunties’ Alison Bennet, and Jane Phegan who are a comedically skilled duo, almost cartoon-esque – they reminded me of the ancestor spirit guides in Mulan.
Is The Cardinal Rules Worth Seeing in Sydney?
The writing is quite symbolic rather than a concise and direct plot. While somewhat chronological, the text is often hard to follow as I regularly found myself questioning whether what was unfolding was symbolic or specific. The aunties alternated into different roles, which while comedic, aren’t always easy to follow. The work is well paced throughout with swift and concise scene changes while making great use of the space and set. While I didn’t always find it an easy journey to be on, The Cardinal Rules is highly entertaining with engaging and committed performances.
Tickets and Practical Info for The Cardinal Rules in Sydney 🎟️
Tickets $35.00
24 – 27 Sep | 1 hour 10 minutesPACT Centre for Emerging Artists
SHOW IS RATED: M15+
Tickets: https://sydneyfringe.com/events/the-cardinal-rules/
Lead Artist/Co-writer/Performer – Rose Maher
Co-writer/Performer – Alison Bennett
Performer/Deviser – Jane Phegan
Director – Ali Gordon
Lighting Designer – Chloe Weeks
Sound Designer – Gail Priest
Production Designer – Andrea EspinozaInsert dates, times, ticket prices, cast & creatives etc.
