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Seducing Father Brian
At An 8 Productions—The Rachel Browne Theatre
A Catholic priest named Brian meets a burlesque dancer named Kat at a party. At first they are unsure of each other’s true identities, as everyone in attendance is in costume. Kat then begins to attend Father Brian’s masses. They meet for lunch and start spending more and more time together. Inevitably they begin to develop strong feelings for one another. She likes him because he is “good-looking and unavailable” and he likes her because she sees him as Brian, not just Father Brian. Where can this possibly lead?
This was a true scripted drama with generous helpings of comedy. A few moments felt like clichés, like Kat reading from the Song of Songs in Father Brian’s study, but the redemption for this play could be found in the serious exploration of each character’s inner turmoil. Father Brian assures Kat that “love is not a sin” but he also is extremely aware that their burgeoning emotional intimacy could easily lead to one. He is torn between God and her, and this drives the story, as well as the suspense of “Will they or will they not?” Kat also finds Brian irresistible because he is a much better man than others she has dated, but if he gives in to his feelings, will he still be? Ultimately, there is sadness in the denouement, for them and for us, and it is hard to imagine how this could have possibly ended happily.
The set in this production consists of three places where the characters sit – a bench, a couch, and a table – as their relationship develops. Father Brian is dressed in black and wears a priestly collar; Kat is dressed sharply in red and black, sometimes in her burlesque costume and sometimes in slightly more modest attire. Overall, this was an enjoyable play by playwright Dianna Rasing, who also plays Kat.
Konrad Antony