Arabic version: عودة مسرحية مارك إي سميث المثيرة للجدل بعد 40 عامًا

Mark E Smith’s play, Hey! Luciani, which initially received a lukewarm reception in 1986, is set for a revival. The play, centered on a papal plot, is being restaged at Manchester’s Band on the Wall venue as part of a 50th anniversary celebration of the band The Fall. According to The Guardian, the new production features a rehearsed reading with full costume and music from a local tribute band.

Originally performed for just two weeks at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios, Hey! Luciani starred Leigh Bowery as a cardinal and was described by critics as a disaster. The play, which Smith described as a blend of Shakespeare and The Prisoner, faced harsh criticism, with some calling for an end to its funding.

Graham Duff, a comedy screenwriter and former collaborator with Smith, is directing the new version. He has interviewed original cast members to capture the essence of the 1986 production. Duff expressed excitement about taking on what he calls a “poisoned chalice,” noting the play’s unique and convoluted narrative style.

The revival aims to clarify the themes of the original, focusing on the complexities of Vatican bureaucracy and the impact on ordinary people. Professional actors will take the stage this time, including Jack Carroll and Jonathan Mayor, who will portray Smith and Bowery, respectively. Duff hopes that a successful performance might lead to further opportunities for the play within Manchester’s arts scene.