Therese in Soho

Eva Hernandez as St Therese

An insightful new play about St Therese of Lisieux was performed in London's Soho this week at St Patrick's Catholic Church. Written by French author, photographer and director Michel Pascal, a former jazz singer and circus performer, as a 50 minute monologue, embracing key events and characters in the saint's life.

His first play was directed by British theatre director Peter Brooke in Paris. Performed by Eva Hernandez, a graduate of the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Paris, it has been taking France by storm and been broadcast on French television. Rave reviews for Hernandez's remarkable portrayal follow her wherever they perform, whether in a Parisien theatre, churches or Cathedrals across the country.

They are now touring the world and performed the play in an English translation, by Leonie Caldicott, in the Holy Land and America. Later this week they are in Scotland.

Despite the second performance coinciding with the England Football match, the church was packed. The audience at St Patrick's was visibly moved at the first night which I attended. Two Carmelite friars from Walworth said that the actress had great presence and it was a poignant portrayal of Therese's spirituality and simplicity.

The saint, whose relics toured this country in 2009, wrote eight plays and acted in them with her Carmelite sisters, would surely relish this dramatisation that captures her sense of humour and mimicry. The tour de force performance deserves to be seen by a wider audience in this country - and a more prominent venue than St Patrick's, which despite a five million pound refurbishment has very uncomfortable pews and no lavatory facilities available for the audience.

Eva Hernandez met Pascal in a supermarket queue and he knew she was perfect for the role. At the time she was a lapsed Catholic but has now returned to the church. She and Pascal see their tour as an evangelical mission. They have performed twice at Lisieux Carmel and go back there in August. They have also performed in prisons and hospitals. Paschal recounted a performance to dementia patients where they became totally immersed in Eva's performance.

Pascal and Hernandez want to come back to England and perform in other venues in the autumn or early next year They are looking for a theatre, churches and Cathedrals who could offer venues. Contact them at michelpas@live.fr