The Passion of Jerome
by Dermot Bolger
The Passion of Jerome had 4 performances about 7 years ago (between the 5th of April 2017 and the 8th of April 2017) at The Riverhouse Barn
180th Production. Jerome Furlong is a successful businessman whose life has been carefully constructed from layer upon layer of lies. Jerome wanted to be an architect, building cathedrals but he’s ended up as an unfeeling albeit commercially successful writer of advertising jingles!
Jerome and his wife Penny have unresolved traumas in their marriage. The distance between them grows as he conducts an extramarital affair in a squalid flat with Clara, a sassy and confident young woman who works in his office. The flat is said to be haunted by the ghost of a teenage boy – a possibility which sees Jerome confronting the demons of his past.
As Jerome descends into a nervous breakdown, he goes to the hospital to seek treatment for his bleeding palms and is met by Rita who believes him to be ‘touched by God’ and pleads with him to heal her dying granddaughter. What follows is a cathartic chain of events which lead Jerome through self-annihilation to ultimate redemption.
Set in the Republic of Ireland, the script has been written with most characters speaking in an Irish accent.
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Jerome Furlong - Graham Collier(40’s) Successful businessman but failed architect, he now writes jingles for an advertising company. His life is totally built on lies. Having been married to Penny for many years they have never addressed the trauma of losing their daughter at just one week old. Having something of a midlife crisis he tries to hang onto his youth by having an affair with one of his employees. This actor needs to be able to hold the character throughout the play as he appears in every scene. An extremely challenging part for a strong actor who can play the traumatic demise of this man as his life falls apart around him and he is confronted by his demons. |
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Clara - Sophie Paterson(20’s) Strong, sassy, sexy and confident young woman who not only works for Jerome but is having an affair with him. She refuses to be labelled as his mistress. This is a young woman who is completely in control, she knows what she wants and takes what she needs and is not afraid to walk away when she no longer needs him. That said, she is not completely hard hearted – she does send a priest to Jerome to help him during his breakdown. This part requires a strong actress who can show confidence which matches Jerome’s presence. Clara is self-assured and this part needs to be played truthfully with a natural manner. |
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Penny - Julia Butterfield(40’s) Protestant, faithful, passionate, strong and steadfast wife of Jerome. She finds solace and some form of catharsis in her works of art after the trauma of losing her child at one week old. Sensitive and offering comfort and support to Jerome when she finds him in the hospital, she finally confronts him in a powerful scene where she discovers the truth about his use of the flat. A powerful part for an experienced actress – controlled and measured delivery required. |
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Rita - Caroline Ross(50+) Working class, devout, Catholic woman whose granddaughter is dying of cystic fibrosis – she meets Jerome in the hospital and believes he has been sent by God to work a miracle. Gets him to lay his hands on her granddaughter in the hospital. Appears several times throughout the play. A wonderful character part for a confident actress who is able to play this part truthfully. |
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Derek - Chris Butterfield(35+) Younger brother of Jerome who has been bailed out time and again by Jerome. Resents Jerome’s handouts and yet can’t seem to get it together enough to do without them. Drink and drugs have plagued his life and he lives hand to mouth picking up jobs here and there. Now living with his arty girlfriend and her kids. A smaller though important role in the play, he appears a couple of times in scenes with Jerome. |
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Caretaker - Anne Nunn(40+) – (could double with Thug 2) Has been around a long time and seen and heard it all. Down to earth character who gives Jerome the info about previous occupants of the flat and warns him not to stay. Great character part who holds a pivotal role in moving the story along. |
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Priest - Marc Anderson(any age) Male . A practical, no-nonsense and simple man, cynical and weighed down with the practicalities of helping people in their everyday lives. Has little time for the seemingly successful businessman whose current predicament seems self-inflicted and worlds apart from the working-class people he is there to help. |
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Doctor - Linda Russell(any age - may double with Thug 1) Male or Female Small scene with Penny when Jerome comes into hospital. |
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Down and Out and Thug 3 - Ian Thomas(any age - may double with Thug 3 and Priest) Male or Female Small scene in first act with Jerome after he has stigmata. |
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Thug - Maxfield Usher3 Thugs - male or female May double with Down and Out, Doctor and Caretaker & Priest. |
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Thug - Neil James3 Thugs - male or female May double with Down and Out, Doctor and Caretaker & Priest. |
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Director - Nancy Lund |
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Set Design and Construction and joint Stage Manager - John Godliman |
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Stage Manager, Set Assistant and Properties - Clare Pinnock |
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Lighting - Nigel Greenaway |
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Sound - Ian Santry |
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Flyer/Programme Design, Set Assistant and Properties - Anne Nunn |
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Continuity - Nicola Anderson |
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Continuity - Jill Payne |
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Photograhy - Alan Bostock (www.photoeyes.biz) |
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Front of House Manager - Frankie Godliman |
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Set Assistant - Bill Payne |
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Set Assistant - Linda Russell |
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Set Assistant - Liz Thomas |
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Set Assistant - Ian Thomas |