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I knew this would happen with St. Joan of Arc. 
Shakespeare’s Globe theater is reinventing the story of the French-Catholic heroine, to the dismay of critics.
Shakespeare’s Globe theater is reinventing the story of St. Joan of Arc in an upcoming production called I, Joan, in which the French-Catholic heroine will be portrayed as a non-binary “queer” character who refers to herself with “they/them” pronouns.
The news has prompted a backlash in Catholic circles, with several taking to Twitter to voice their dismay, saying the interpretation detracts from St. Joan of Arc’s heroic life and erases the dignity of womanhood.
The Globe announced its decision Thursday in a tweet:
“Our new play I, Joan shows Joan as a legendary leader who uses the pronouns ‘they/them.’ We are not the first to present Joan in this way, and we will not be the last. We can't wait to share this production with everyone and discover this cultural icon.”
In a statement Friday, the play’s artistic director, Michelle Terry, said, “History has provided countless and wonderful examples of Joan portrayed as a woman. This production is simply offering the possibility of another point of view.”
Terry argued that play adaptations make “anything possible” because “theatres do not deal with ‘historical reality.’”
The play, which is described by the theater as “queer and full of hope,” opens on Aug. 25 and will feature actress Isobel Thom in the leading role. Thom identifies as non-binary.
Continued below.
New Play’s ‘Non-Binary’ Joan of Arc Character Detracts From Saint’s Heroism and Dignity, Catholics Say
Shakespeare’s Globe theater is reinventing the story of the French-Catholic heroine, to the dismay of critics.
Shakespeare’s Globe theater is reinventing the story of St. Joan of Arc in an upcoming production called I, Joan, in which the French-Catholic heroine will be portrayed as a non-binary “queer” character who refers to herself with “they/them” pronouns.
The news has prompted a backlash in Catholic circles, with several taking to Twitter to voice their dismay, saying the interpretation detracts from St. Joan of Arc’s heroic life and erases the dignity of womanhood.
The Globe announced its decision Thursday in a tweet:
“Our new play I, Joan shows Joan as a legendary leader who uses the pronouns ‘they/them.’ We are not the first to present Joan in this way, and we will not be the last. We can't wait to share this production with everyone and discover this cultural icon.”
In a statement Friday, the play’s artistic director, Michelle Terry, said, “History has provided countless and wonderful examples of Joan portrayed as a woman. This production is simply offering the possibility of another point of view.”
Terry argued that play adaptations make “anything possible” because “theatres do not deal with ‘historical reality.’”
The play, which is described by the theater as “queer and full of hope,” opens on Aug. 25 and will feature actress Isobel Thom in the leading role. Thom identifies as non-binary.
Continued below.
New Play’s ‘Non-Binary’ Joan of Arc Character Detracts From Saint’s Heroism and Dignity, Catholics Say