Suor Angelica

Suor Angelica Synopsis

1960’s Ireland

A Magdalene Laundry

Seven years ago, Angelica brought disgrace and shame on her wealthy family by having a baby despite being unmarried.

The baby boy was taken from her and she has never seen or heard of him since. As atonement for her “sin”, she has been forced to become a nun by her family, cut off from society in a closed convent; however, she cannot forget her son.

Act I

Inside the convent, the Ave Maria can be heard sung by the nuns in the chapel.

The Monitress assigns punishments for misdemeanours.

Genevieve is excited that the convent will be coloured gold by the rays of the setting sun, as it does on three evenings every May. This is interpreted as a sign of special favour from the Virgin Mary.

There is a moment of sadness as they recall a friend who died a year ago. Genevieve suggests the dead woman would like them to remember her by visiting her tomb, but Sister Angelica declares that only the living have desires.

The Monitress reminds them that all desires are forbidden to nuns, but Genevieve and Dolcina reveal theirs: to hold a lamb once again, and for something delicious to eat.

Sister Angelica denies wishing for anything, but the other nuns know this is not true: she longs for news of her family, who she never talks about. They gossip about her rumoured high-class status.

The Nursing Sister rushes in: one of the nuns has been stung by wasps and is in great pain. Sister Angelica expertly prepares a herbal remedy. Provisions arrive and are examined, as news spreads that a distinguished and wealthy visitor has arrived at the convent. The Abbess summons Sister Angelica to meet the stranger privately.

The visitor is Sister Angelica’s formidable aunt, the Baroness. She has come to demand that Angelica signs a legal document that formally relinquishes her share of her inheritance in favour of her younger sister, who is about to be married.

During their encounter, the Baroness informs Angelica that her son died two years ago, when he was five. She collapses with grief, signs the document and her aunt departs.

Sister Angelica calmly mixes and swallows a lethal draught of poison. Immediately she realises that according to her Catholic faith, by taking her own life she is eternally damned.

She despairs as she fears she has no hope of being reunited with her son in heaven. She prays fervently to the Virgin Mary to save her and sees a final vision before death.

There is no interval