Performances 16-21 November 2026 in the Studio

About The Play

A naive, novice nun (Agnes) is found with a dead newborn in her room. Dr Livingstone (a psychiatrist) is sent to assess Agnes’ mental competency to stand trial for the child’s murder. The Mother Superior is protective of Agnes and clashes with the Doctor during her investigation, which also looks into Agnes’ childhood.

The play looks at faith vs reason, psychology, trauma and feminism.

Characters

Agnes

Sings

21. Female. Novice nun

A naive young woman who joined the convent when her mother died. She talks to the Doctor about her past, although is in denial or doesn’t understand the negative effects of her mother’s actions. Claims to have no recollection of the events being investigated, unclear whether she is lying or has blocked it from her memory.

N.B - character sings at various points throughout the play. Some songs are sung in Latin, the rest in English. All singing abilities welcome to audition. The preference is for singing to be done live; however this is not essential to be able to audition - singing parts can be sung by an alternative performer if necessary.

Dr. Livingstone

30s-40s. Female. Psychiatrist.

Smokes

Initially doesn’t believe Agnes or Mother Superior and thinks they are hiding something. Cares for Agnes. Her own past and links to religion and the church are revealed, highlighting her dislike / distrust of the Mother Superior.

Mother Miriam

50s-60s. Female. Mother Superior.. Agnes’ aunt.

Sceptical of the Doctor’s intentions and what she wants to achieve from the investigation. Cares deeply for Agnes. Isn’t fully compliant with the investigation and is seeming hindering the Doctor finding answers. Initially in denial about anything untoward happening to Agnes in the convent but starts to think more scientifically than religiously about what happened.

Audition Pieces

Mother & Doctor

p11 “The important fact is that somebody gave her that baby” to p12 “What do you mean?”

Mother & Agnes

p22 “He spoke to you Himself?” to p23 “I’m not hungry”

Doctor & Agnes

p37 “But you’re troubled aren’t you?” to p39 “And that you’re a mistake”

Doctor, Agnes & Mother

p68 “Do you see anything?” to p70 “That’s enough for today”

Doctor

p13 “There was a lynching mob that came before a judge” to end of speech

Agnes

p18 “Well, I think they come from when an angel lights on their mother’s chest” to p19 “God loves you”

Mother

p46 “When I was a child I used to speak with my guardian angel” to “Those years after six were very bleak”

Feel free to contact the director here if you have any questions.