VETERAN thespians Anton Lesser and Nicholas Woodeson give consummate performances in The Two Popes as Anthony McCarten’s drama, inspired by true events at the Vatican in Rome, visits Bath on its first UK tour.

Nine years ago, Pope Benedict XVI stunned Catholics and the rest of the world by resigning on February 28 2013, the first Pope in more than 700 years to do so.

The arch-conservative was the first Pope to break with sacred tradition and resign voluntarily since Celestine V in 1294.

Feeling his age, the Germany-born national decides to make way for Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a one-time tango club bouncer and football-loving reformer with the common touch to become Pope Francis.

Based on the true events, Anthony McCarten’s play portrays the tense, but often humorous, discussions between Pope Benedict XVI (Anton Lesser) and the future Pope Francis (Nicholas Woodeson) about their radically different ideas for the future of the Catholic Church, their past and their hobbies.

In the process, the two venerable Popes come to terms with their inner demons and form a common bond to carve out a path for the Vatican's future.

McCarten’s play grips the audience but is very ‘wordy’ and lacks much stage action in a pace that moves slowly.

However, it offers a dramatic, humane and humour-laced insight into thoughts of the two old men and the dialogue between the pair, whose ideals and views on the future of the Catholic church seem diametrically opposed.

Combined with original music by Grammy and BRIT Award-winning composer Anne Dudley, The Two Popes shines a light on one of the world’s most secretive institutions and poses the timeless question: in moments of crisis, should we follow the rules or our conscience?

Anton Lesser and Nicholas Woodeson give thoroughly engrossing performances as the two Popes, with the six-strong cast also featuring Lynsey Beauchamp as Sister Brigitta and Leaphia Darko as Sister Sophia, with Malcolm James and Angela Jones in the ensemble. 

The production is designed by Jonathan Fensom, with lighting design by Charles Balfour, sound design by David Gregory and video and projection design by Duncan McLean. The associate director is Sarah Stacey and the associate lighting designer is Ric Mountjoy.

The Two Popes is at the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday (October 29). Tickets from the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or book online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk