Atheism Comes Full Circle to Edinburgh |
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Edinburgh Evening News 17th August 2006 Jean Meslier, a French Catholic priest around the end of the 17th century and the author of a bitter atheistic treatment, was a little known hero of the Enlightenment and an instigator of the ideals of the French Revolution. His story forms the basis of a new play by David Hall, which runs at the Sweet ECA until August 27. A very human story, the piece follows Meslier as he leads a dual existence, conforming by day to the yoke of religious fundamentalism and passionately composing his legacy in private by night – the book he wrote would never be published during his lifetime. The play’s Edinburgh-born director David Roylance admits it is a “real treat and a privilege” to be able to return home most Augusts with a new piece of theatre and says: “Meslier’s story deserves to be heard and remembered. Politically and philosophically he played his part in a movement that has radically changed the way we think and live our lives. Perhaps without Jean Meslier, there would have been no David Hume.” A three strong cast – Julian Bird, in the title role, Prentis Hancock as Claude Buffier and Angela Koo as Delphine Solange – bring Meslier’s story to life. Roylance adds: “Meslier did not believe a word of the book he preached from. He wrote his own book, a testament that he left us on his deathbed, having hastened his own death after finishing his work. His testament is a vicious and uncompromising attack on all forms of organised religion and the divine right of kings and the aristocracy. “By his own admission, within the testament, Meslier was a coward. Since the punishment for preaching atheism was burning alive at the stake this is perhaps something we can understand and empathise with. As the director of the play I find it interesting that we are bringing this story to Edinburgh, the home of Thomas Aikenhead, the last man in the United Kingdom to be hanged for preaching atheism.” Meslier, Sweet ECA, Lauriston Place, 8.30pm, until August 27, £8, 0870-2410136 |
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Sweet at the Edinburgh College of Art (Venue 186)
8.30pm, 14th-27th August - Box Office 0870 241 0136
8.30pm, 14th-27th August - Box Office 0870 241 0136
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