In “The Last Confession,” now playing at the Ahmanson Theater, Cardinal Bellini tells his confessor he feels responsible for the death of the Pope. This leads to a backward glance at the circumstances that actually took place back in the ’60s. Because it is difficult to recognize the players, a look at the program’s synopsis will help bring clarification.
With a vacillating pope like Paul VI, the more conservative elements of the Curia are holding sway. This pope dies and, fortunately for the audience, is succeeded by Albino Luciana (played superbly by Richard O’Callaghan). He is simple but firm and manages to put across his ideas in a subtle way. He reigned as pope for only 33 days and his time on stage, though limited too, was the highlight of playwright Roger Crane’s recreation of this page in history.
The pope’s death raised the question of whether he was murdered because of his modern views and his determination to dismiss the reactionary elements of the Curia, the Vatican’s administrative body. That wonderful actor, David Suchet, has the central role of Cardinal Bellini, who questions his faith and the role of the Catholic church. Did his backing of the Pope help lead to his death?
Suchet takes over the “murder” investigation and does a creditable job as a clerical Perry Mason. However, one must wait for the second act for this “mystery” to evolve.
The actors are all excellent but the writing is stuffy. The setting consists of massive gates, which are moved after each scene while prop men reposition the tables and chairs.
Jonathan Church directed and William Dudley was responsible for the design. The costumes by Fotini Dimou were wonderful, faithfully recreating the elaborate robes of the Vatican residents.
I confess that I found the drama less than absorbing.