Joan of Arc, New Diorama Theatre

Based on Frederich Schiller’s The Maid of Orleans, the play dramatises five of the most significant moments in the life of Joan D’Arc. A young French maid has a vision of God calling her to defend her country from English invaders. Escaping an arranged marriage, she becomes an inspiring symbol for the French. It’s a story full of pride and love, one great call to arms. As one knight describes Joan: “helmet on her head, both beautiful and terrible to look on.... quickly from our standard-bearer’s hand she snatched the banner, and before our army, with lofty aspect, stepped the mighty one.”

This is a thrilling re-imagined version of the story after several other very successful adaptations of Schiller’s work by the Faction. Their debut staging of The Robbers earned a Peter Brook Award for Equity Best Ensemble. The following year came Fiesco and Mary Stuart, proceeded by Schiller’s famously unfinished piece Demetrius. Their work has been lauded as “simply breathtaking and beautifully realised” by What's on Stage, and the Guardian said, “although they may go under the name of Faction, they display a unity that augurs well for their future.”

You can expect anything from this young and brilliant team -- from disco dance interludes to animal masks, stark minimalism to sumptuous sets. But regardless, you can expect powerful performances from every one of the 13-strong ensemble and excellent direction. Now that the Faction have teamed up with the New Diorama to become their in-house rep company, the possibilities are endless.