St Mary's In Exile

A unique Brisbane story inspired by real events comes to life in Queensland Theatre Company’s latest play, St Mary’s in Exile at the Bille Brown Studio.

Remember back in 2009 when St Mary’s Catholic Church in West End had its beloved priest, Father Peter Kennedy, excommunicated? The higher powers weren’t impressed with Peter’s inclusive approach that saw him having a statue of Buddha in the foyer, women at the pulpit, and blessing same-sex unions.

What the establishment didn’t count on were the 700 devoted parishioners who stood by their priest, resulting in a media frenzy as Peter handed over the church keys and led his faithful flock down the street to the Trades and Labor Council building where they still worship.

It’s dramatic material ripe for a play, which is exactly what Brisbane playwright, David Burton (April’s Fool, Hedonism’s Second Album) thought. The play has a young homeless man walking into St Mary’s as Father Peter Kennedy is packing up to go into exile. Burton interviewed Peter and others involved and has created something that’s inspired by real events rather than being a completely factual retelling.

Directed by Jason Klarwin, St Mary’s in Exile stars Peter Marshall as Father Peter Kennedy, with the cast also including Chenoa Deemal, Bryan Probets, Luisa Prosser, Kevin Spink, Ben Warren and Joss McWilliam.
St Mary’s in Exile is an opportunity for Brisbane audiences to get behind some great home-grown theatre and learn more about a local folk hero who dared to take on a powerful organisation and prove that the meaning of the word ‘church’ doesn’t have to refer to a building.

Nice to know - There will be an Auslan Sign Language Interpreted version of the play on Thursday, 15 September.

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By Vicki Englund