The Last Days of Judas Iscariot

The Irish Theatre Players’ The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is an interesting production with strong performances and much food for thought. Although its title and subject matter mean it may struggle to find an audience, this is a worthy watch for the serious theatre-goer and is a well-produced production.

Staged by award-winning director Brendan Ellis on a traverse stage, this is a highly intimate production and a crowd of about 30 on opening night, meant the auditorium felt quite full. 

Set in Purgatory, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is played as a court trial and is the attempt to have Judas Iscariot released from eternal damnation. With themes of forgiveness and redemption, audiences do not have to be religious to appreciate the story.

There are many very strong performances. Madelaine Page is captivating and has great depth as defence attorney Fabiana Cunningham, who establishes strong conflict with El Fayoumey, the prosecutor and literal devil’s advocate, played by relative newcomer Andre Rodriguez. Presiding over the court is Judge Littlefield - played with strength by Alan Kennedy (also doubling well as Caiaphas).

Brian O’Donovan gives great presence to the role of Judas - on stage throughout, but rarely speaking, while Mark Tilly brings credence to the short but pivotal role of Jesus. Kate Manson gives great power to the role of Satan, although I am not sure that the inconsistent gendering of this role serves the show well.

The remainder of this cast of thirteen (a deliberate choice?) play multiple roles, quickly establishing very distinct characters. Dayle Rasmussen played first witness Henrietta Iscariot, setting a high standard to follow, Jessica Wilkins played a compelling Mary Magdalene, among other roles. Shannon Murphy played a trio of very different roles - with her brief appearance as the Irish Sister Glenna perhaps unsurprisingly an audience favourite.

Grant Malcolm was excellent as Freud, and his late-in-show monologue as Butch is outstanding. Zane Alexander is a strong Saint Peter, but his appearance as Pilate is mesmerising and expertly crafted. Jamie Smith switches between two very different roles, Julius the Bailiff and Simon the Zealot - almost unrecognisable as the same actor, as he is so different in demeanour. Anka Sagan plays one of my personal favourites of the emerging church, St Monica, as a nagging, bossy and loveable bogan, and pivots completely as a controversial Mother Teresa.

Don Allen (operating blind) has designed an emotive lighting plot and Daniel Toomath’s sound design is organic and unnerving. Nicole Miller has co-ordinated some very varied costumes that span and blur two millennia.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is not easy watching and is also a very long show, but it does reward its audience with some amazing performances and some great fuel for thought. This may be one of our most divisive productions of the year - for numerable reasons, so well worth a look.

Kimberley Shaw