A fresh theatrical production of St Joan claims that Bernard Shaw’s play is now “relevant to our time”. But the story of Joan of Arc is relevant to all time, and the Donmar’s drama (which will be streamed into 2,500 cinemas for all to see on March 14) portrays Joan as a feminist icon.
This too is nothing new. Joan has always been a striking role model for young women – illuminating the courage, affirmativeness, confidence and unwavering holiness of a young girl of only 17 who led the armies of France and faced her own martyrdom fearlessly.
