The Phoenix Theatre’s Virgin Warrior is a musical premiering in Perth and Australia. The show is directed by Jane Sherwood and written by Peter Prichard and Zig Byfield.

The story, which was originally performed at the Epsom Playhouse on May 16 1986 under the musical direction of David Jones, follows the infamous tale of Joan of Arc from her home in France to battlefields that hosted the French and the English.

Notable in the play was the clever and brisk way key events in the Joan of Arc story were taken from the musical and reinterpreted by the Phoenix Theatre group.

Main character Joan, played by Melissa Kiiveri, is sugar sweet throughout the whole play. Sometimes frustratingly so; but it is at the end of the first scene that you settle in and enjoy her character.

Cleverly, the first battle of the play sees Kiiveri ride onto the stage on an actual horse (whose real name is Brady). As the cast goes to war, the most elegant and gentle fight scene is played out – an interesting juxtaposition and refreshing take on bloodlust.

It’s the higher, sweeter notes that Kiiveri hits best; she’s definitely a talent to watch. Her mother in the production, played by Amy Tyers, also has an amazing voice and presence on stage.

After intermission, the first person to die on the battlefield is stabbed; James Hyeson, who had one of the strongest voices in the musical, certainly died with grace.

The fight scenes of the theatre show were some of the most enjoyable to watch. Understandably put in the forefront of the stage was Lucy Osbourne; though it was her first appearance on the stage she shined in her role as a swordsman; it came as no surprise to learn that she is apart of the theatrical sword fighting group Circle of The Sword.

Theatre has such a unique charm to it that involves great story-telling; it is obvious when watching The Virgin Warrior that as a production it has been executed skillfully, creatively and with care.

None of the actors or the director were paid; they were doing it solely for their love for it. It was a nice change from staring at the TV on a Thursday night, to instead watch a group of passionate people act out a classic tale of heroine.

The show is to be performed outdoors at the Supreme Court Gardens on Saturday March 17th, get along and support local Perth creative talent!

By Aleyna Martinez.

Photography by Guang-Hui Chang