The Hammer of Devotion

Written and directed by Jane Woollard.

The Hammer of Devotion, was the result of extensive research into the lives and work of four medieval women writers: Hrotsvit of Gandersheim, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Hadewijch of Brabant and Hildegard of Bingen. The narrative also brought four contemporary women into a dialogue with four medieval women writers. The play explored the similarities between the medieval womens’ approach to Christian imagery, and their personal ambition. It featured Hildegard’s music performed live by a female singer. The project was developed over a period of three years, with creative development, public play readings and production all funded by the Australia Council, and presented at St Pauls Cathedral Chapter House, Melbourne. 

Against the background of the movement for the Ordination of Women, which was at a critical point in Australia in the early to mid 1990s, The Hammer of Devotion explored the history of female spirituality within the Christian church, and its more enduring female voices. The play sought to engage with the feminist voice in the Church without adopting a didactic position, and dwelt in uncertain and complex spaces of doubt and contradiction, and employed humour and symbolism to explore its subject matter. 

Cast: Melanie Beddie, Maryrose Cuskelly, Susie Dee, Carole Patullo, Juliette Hughes-Norwood

Design: Amanda Johnson

Lighting: Rachel Burke

Photography: Lyn Poole