'MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL'

Led by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger in the main role, a staged reading of “Murder in the Cathedral” by T.S. Eliot was performed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on Wednesday, June 30.

The play depicts the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket - read by Bishop Scharfenberger - in Canterbury Cathedral during the reign of Henry II in 1170, was published in 1935 and performed in the same year at Canterbury Cathedral. The play deals with issues of faith and politics and to whom we should show allegiance to.

"I'm very pleased with our production!," said Father Daniel Quinn, who was tasked with managing the production. "The cast had some outstanding moments, the turnout was great, and aside from some technical hiccups, it went off without a hitch, after relatively few rehearsals.  I'm especially impressed with our cast, mostly amateur.  With every rehearsal and growth in familiarity with a touch script, written in verse, our cast regularly introduced wonderful ideas and greater clarity with the language and subject matter.  

"I think I can speak for the whole cast and crew when I say that I hope that everyone enjoyed themselves in spite of the heat, but also were challenged to reflect upon the relationship we each have with our temptations, with our God and his Church, and with our earthly powers, government, and society."

The staged reading was made up of three sections: Part I, the scene is in the Archbishop’s Hall on Dec. 2, 1170; Interlude: The Archbishop preaches in the Cathedral on Christmas Morning, 1170; and Part II, the first scene is in the Archbishop’s Hall; the second scene is in the Cathedral on Dec. 29, 1170.

The cast was composed of (in order of appearance): A Chorus of Women of Canterbury: Edie Mesick, Joyce Slater, Lisanne Jensen and Mairin Quinn; Three Priests of the Cathedral: Bill Mielke, Father Daniel Quinn, Dennis Laughlin; A Messenger: Glenn Smith; Archbishop Becket: Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger; Four Tempters (Part I): Sarah Durocher, Mairin Quinn, Patrick Quinn, Father Anthony Barratt; Four Knights (Part II): Glenn Smith, Father Anthony Ligato; Patrick Quinn; Father Christopher Welch.

Music was under the direction of Dr. Brian Gurley, with lights and sound by Patrick Buonacore, Cathedral sacristan.