Theater News

Broadway’s The Testament of Mary, Starring Fiona Shaw, Will Close on May 5

The production will have played 27 previews and 16 performances.

Fiona Shaw in <I>The Testament of Mary</I>.
Fiona Shaw in The Testament of Mary.
(© Paul Kolnik)

Despite receiving three Tony nominations, including one for Best Play, the Broadway premiere of Colm Tóibín’s The Testament of Mary will end its run at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Sunday, May 5. The production, starring Fiona Shaw and directed by Deborah Warner, will have played 27 previews and 16 performances by closing.

In the play, Shaw plays the Virgin Mary, who we find grieving the loss of her son after the crucifixion. While two of Jesus’ followers are shaping his story to suit their own purposes, Mary questions her son’s divinity as she tells of Jesus from a maternal point of view. The production has scenic design by Tom Pye, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Jennifer Tipton, and original music and sound design by Mel Mercier.

Shaw is best known for her screen portrayal of Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter series and spooky witch Marnie Stonebrook in HBO’s True Blood. In addition to her witchcraft-related film and TV projects, Shaw is a prolific stage actress. She last appeared in New York at BAM in John Gabriel Borkman opposite Harry Potter costar Alan Rickman.

Much of Shaw’s stage work from the last two decades was done in collaboration with Testament of Mary director Warner. Warner and Shaw have previously worked together on Broadway in Medea. Their other works include The Waste Land, Hedda Gabler, Richard II (with Shaw as Richard), and Mother Courage and Her Children. Both were nominated for Drama Desk Awards for their 2008 production of Happy Days at BAM.

Click here for more information and tickets to The Testament of Mary.

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The Testament of Mary

Closed: May 5, 2013