The Amen Corner...

Last night Stu and I went to see James Baldwin's The Amen Corner at the Olivier Theatre on London's glitzy South Bank.

Starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste as the fervent pastor Margaret  Alexander the story tells of a Harlem church and how the Old Testament God-fearing woman who leads it whips the congregation into a religious frenzy only to come unstuck by her own family. A son who losses his faith and a wayward husband who returns both throw Margaret's life into a spin. The holier than thou flock she has disciplined so well then turn on her and their petty jealousies soon bubble to the surface. Margaret is undone. Reap what ye have sown. Margaret's transition to New Testament forgiveness then completes the parable.

All the cast were excellent. The gospel singing perfect and the staging simple and clever. The church and all it's holiness was set up above, the family living room and it's harsh earthly realities were set firmly down below.