The Devil's Disciple
Jul. 18th, 2007 07:54 pmLast night I watched a BBC production of George Bernard Shaw's The Devil's Disciple. It's a story about Richard, a young man in 1777 New England, who advertises himself as "The Devil's Disciple," having rejected the grimly proper and abusive-to-children Christianity he endured growing up. However one night he is mistaken by the village pastor by invading British troops and allows himself to be taken in the other man's place, knowing he will be hanged -- much to the consternation of the pastor's beautiful young wife who had vehemently rejected him as a wicked man.
The production could have been better. Despite the fine actors in the cast (including Patrick Stewart as the pastor), the director pushed the uptight nature of the village society and the British officers a bit too far in most scenes, and everything and everyone was far too tidy and clean. Still, Shaw is Shaw, and overall it was a pleasant way to spend two hours.
The production could have been better. Despite the fine actors in the cast (including Patrick Stewart as the pastor), the director pushed the uptight nature of the village society and the British officers a bit too far in most scenes, and everything and everyone was far too tidy and clean. Still, Shaw is Shaw, and overall it was a pleasant way to spend two hours.