Cadaver Synod

In 897 AD, Rome, newly elected Pope Stephen is haunted by the legacy of his predecessor, Formosus, whose corrupt papacy decimated the Church’s public image. Amidst pressures from the King of Italy, a suspicious number of cardinals ‘falling’ down the Vatican stairs, and the antics of horny priests, Pope Stephen faces an impossible dilemma. Either bring the corpse of Formosus to trial posthumously and face eternal damnation or stay faithful and risk political assassination. As Stephen’s morality waivers, so does his grip on reality, his descent into madness resulting in a bloody crescendo of chaos, betrayal, and several dead pigeons. Like all good parables, some of this actually happened. 

Cadaver Synod had its debut reading at the Old Fitz Theatre for the New Works Festival. Directed by Zoë Hollyoak, produced by Morgan Owen, featuring a cast of Andrew Fraser, Esha Jessy, Nathan Langworthy, Mark Langham, Leon Walshe and Alpha Sylla.

Photography: Karla Elbourne