Review: THE TWO POPES, Cambridge Arts Theatre - Tour

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

The Two Popes, written by Anthony McCarten, takes a look at a historical and private institution and brings it to life in a heartwarming and eye-opening story.

Selecting a new Pope is a very private affair with the conclave meeting and voting in private several times until white smoke is emitted from the Vatican. 

The show opens with the death of John Paul II and white smoke signifying a new Pope has been chosen. We then meet Pope Benedict XVI, played by Anton Lesser. Lesser’s performance is exceptional. He brings us on his emotional journey as the first Pope to resign in 700 years.  He really draws you in with his acting, managing to create suitable chemistry with each character he performs opposite, and the scene with Sister Brigitta (Lynsey Beauchamp) is especially touching. 

We follow Pope Benedict XVI as he admits he wants to resign to a horrified Sister Brigitta and the inner turmoil of accepting the best successor for his role is Cardinal Bergoglio, played by Nicholas Woodeson, a Cardinal whom he shares very little beliefs with. 

Woodeson’s portrayal of the more down to earth Cardinal Bergoglio provides ample but gentle humour to the piece. The exchanges between Lesser and Woodeson are exceptional and they play off of each other very well. They both manage to capture the accents of their respective characters (German and Argentinian) whilst never being overpowering. 

The set is simple yet effective, with projections used to distinguish the religious venue used for the setting. With a marble effect projected onto the pillars, it provides a dated yet ostentatious look.

At the heart of the piece, it allows you to look at a famous institution in a different light and look at what lengths people go to for their belief in god. 

The cast assembled are a real asset to the play, with Leaphia Darko as Sister Sophia - although only being in one scene - stealing the scene she is in, and has excellent rapport with Nicholas Woodeson. 

This is a wonderfully touching piece of theatre. We wholly recommend that you catch this piece at some point in its run. Lesser and Woodeson bring to life two well known public figures and give them heart and gravitas. 

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rooney

The Two Popes plays at Cambridge Arts Centre until 1 October, and continues to tour until the end of October 2022.